New research from PayPoint has found that a convenience store is one of top three most desirable local amenities, ahead of both a pub and bank branch.
The most desirable local amenity, according to a survey conducted on PayPoint’s behalf by One Poll, is a Post Office, followed by a pharmacy.
The survey also revealed that two in three Brits think their convenience store has become more important to them over the past 12 months and 22% relied on their local shop to supply essentials unavailable elsewhere (e.g. supermarkets) during lockdown.
More than a quarter of respondents (27%) said they will do more local shopping after lockdown has ended and Gen Z ranked the c-store as the most valuable local institution, higher even than pharmacies.
Almost one-third (31%) met new people in the neighbourhood through a chat at the local shop and 17% are now on first name terms with staff.
On top of the survey results, PayPoint sales data revealed an average basket spend increase of 33% year-on-year, rising from £5.61 in February 2020 to £7.47 in February 2021. The UK’s average basket spend peaked at £8.10 in April last year and this momentum has been sustained throughout the coronavirus outbreak as people continue to choose to shop locally.
Ben Ford, PayPoint’s Retail Services Director, commented: “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.”
