Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
The IGD’s ShopperVista convenience research shows that shopping frequency has declined and basket sizes appear to be bigger at c-stores. With more top-up and main shop missions being completed, meal solutions and home cooking essentials are increasingly important, the IGD says.
The ShopperVista research also finds that convenience store shoppers are now more likely to focus on saving money than last year and retailers are investing in lowering prices. The IGD says retailers are highlighting how they are delivering value and implementing more promotional activity to try to close the pricing gap between formats. In addition, private label initiatives are also key to help them strengthen value offerings.
ShopperVista forecasts that convenience retailers will increase their focus on communicating local credentials. As shopper attention shifts to concerns for the environment in the run-up to COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference in November 2021, initiatives to reduce plastic use will become more prominent.
In addition, the government has announced from 2030 no new cars and vans powered solely by petrol or diesel will be sold in the UK. This will impact the forecourt sector, which will have to adapt in the long-term.
The research also predicts that 2021 will see new formats tailored to the post-pandemic environment.
