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A PayPoint survey shows two in three Brits believe their local convenience store has become more important to them over the past 12 months and 22% relied on their local convenience store to supply essentials unavailable elsewhere during lockdown.
PayPoint sales data confirms Brits’ increased reliance on independent retailers, revealing an average basket spend increase of 33% year on year, rising from £5.61 in February 2020 to £7.47 in February 2021.
In addition, 27% of respondents said they will do more local shopping after lockdown has ended.
Ben Ford, retail services director at PayPoint, said: “Over the past year we have seen a renewed appreciation for the local convenience store. The pandemic has encouraged a return to community roots in many parts of the UK and the independent convenience sector is thriving.
“Many of the business owners in our network came to the rescue by stocking essential items during the first few months of lockdown. Similarly, the local convenience shop has been one of the few locations where people can engage in-person with someone from outside their bubble, which has seen relationships between business owners and local communities become stronger than ever.”
