The 2022 Local Shop Report has revealed the enormous contribution
that convenience stores in the UK make to people’s lives, not
just as essential grocery businesses, but as job creators,
community hubs and beacons of entrepreneurship.
This year’s report highlights the decisions being made in the
UK’s 48,590 convenience stores in areas like investment,
staffing, product mix, technology and service offerings, and
delivery.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Local Shop Report is
our most comprehensive look at the UK convenience sector,
providing crucial insight into the way that stores are run, the
colleagues that are employed in stores and the communities they
serve. The report is currently making its way to every MP in
Westminster, highlighting just how important we are not only as a
sector, but as individual businesses trading in just about every
postcode across the UK.
“This year’s Local Shop Report shows the continued resilience of
the convenience sector after the pandemic and in the early stages
of the cost of living crisis. Local shops are well placed to
support their customers during this difficult time through a
diverse range of products and services, helping consumers manage
their money and making a really positive impact in the
communities that they trade in. We believe that the Local Shop
Report sends a clear message about the importance of convenience
stores, and the need to support them in difficult times, such as
those that we’re facing into right now on energy costs.”
Key figures from this year’s report include:
- There are over 405,000 colleagues working in the convenience
sector, working a combined nine million hours a week on average
- 71% of stores in the convenience sector are run by
independent retailers, either entirely unaffiliated or as part of
a symbol group
- The convenience sector generated over £45bn in sales over the
last year, with that figure set to grow to over £48bn by 2025
- Convenience stores have invested over £605m over the last
year
- 78% of customers agree that local shops are good for the
environment, as more customers can walk to store
ACS is also bringing the Local Shop Report to life this year with
new convenience stories, hearing directly from retailers about
how they run their businesses, their investment plans,
contributions to the local community and more. The six short
video clips are available to view below:
This year’s Local Shop Report cover image has been modelled on
the location of Julie Duhra’s store in Telford, winner of the
2021 Raj Aggarwal Trophy for outstanding community retailing. The
2022 Trophy will be presented at this year’s Heart of the
Community Conference in London on October 18th.
The full Local Shop Report is available here: https://bit.ly/LSR2022
