Local shops are lifelines for communities across Wales, report finds

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Convenience stores in Wales have invested more than £30m in their businesses to ensure that they can continue to provide essential products and services to their communities, including cash machines (73%), bill payment services (77%) and a post office (29%), new research shows.

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Findings from the 2021 Welsh Local Shop Report reveals Wales has more shops per head than any other part of mainland UK, with 63% of stores trading in rural locations, with 42% of stores operating in isolated areas with no retail/service businesses close by.

Convenience stores in Wales generated more than £2.8bn in sales last year, with the average customer visiting their local store around 4.20 times per week.

The report also found that one-fifth of Welsh convenience stores now offer a home grocery delivery service to their customers.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “Local shops have acted as lifelines for communities in Wales and this has been particularly evident during the coronavirus pandemic as retailers have adapted and expanded their services to ensure that they can continue to feed their communities, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

The 2021 Welsh Local Shop Report was launched at a virtual event, which included a discussion between Lowman and minister for environment Lesley Griffiths, which reflected on how Welsh retailers have responded to the Covid-19 crisis.

In addition, a panel of leading Welsh convenience retailers – consisting of Blakemore Retail’s managing director Matt Teague, Filco Supermarkets’ director Matthew Hunt, and Tuffins Supermarkets’ commercial director Harry Delves – discussed the findings of the report and their experience of trading during the pandemic.