Scotland’s local retailers are among the hardest working professionals in Britain with most putting in more than 50 hours a week, according to a new report from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The report is based on a survey which shows that 60% of the nation’s convenience store retailers work more than 50 hours in an average week, while just 7% work fewer than 30 hours a week.
They also take very little holiday, with 51% claiming to take less than 10 days off a year while one in five reported taking no holiday at all. Many local shops are open all year round, even operating on public holidays like Christmas Day to allow their customers to pick up last minute essentials when everywhere else is closed.
According to Office of National Statistics figures for the last quarter, the average working week of most other professions is between 30 and 40 hours a week. Those working in agriculture, forestry and fishing work the most hours on average (45) while those in accommodation and food services work the fewest (28).
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman commented: “The stores we’re talking about here are our members’ livelihoods, so it’s not surprising that they work long hours to be successful. Some of our members are in store at four or five in the morning to receive the day’s newspapers and are still there late at night closing up every day of the week.”
60% of retailers working more than 50 hours per week
51% of retailers that take fewer than 10 days off a year
20% of retailers that take no holidays at all
