Scottish wholesale-supplied convenience stores overperform versus England and Wales, revealed research compiled by wholesale and retail insight specialist TWC and hospitality expert HDI, and commissioned by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).
In terms of wholesale sales performance, TWC revealed Scotland was over-indexing on value growth.
However, Scotland was also shown to be the top-performing region in value for retail, according to TWC’s SmartView Convenience read, which analyses wholesaler-supplied symbol, fascia and independent convenience stores in GB.
TWC Managing Director, Tanya Pepin, said: “Again, Scotland showed strong results, with the largest regional share of convenience retail value sales of all GB geographies – and the best year-on-year results of all regions.”
The data further revealed that at a product category level, all impulse categories were in value growth for the latest 52 weeks and that Scotland’s growth was ahead of the rest of GB.
“In fact, across seven of the 10 core retail categories, Scotland is reporting stronger year-on-year results,” Pepin added.
“Finally, there is good news for Scottish wholesale-supplied symbols and fascias. Despite them having a lower share of stores numerically than England and Wales, they outperform on share of retail units sold, and Scottish symbols and fascias have more items in their baskets than their English and Welsh counterparts.”
SWA chief executive Colin Smith said: “This insightful market overview doesn’t mask the fact that businesses are facing significant cost pressures from high employee, materials, and energy costs.
“However, the findings from TWC and HDI tell us that there is optimism within the Scottish wholesale sector and our performance versus England and Wales is heartening in a market that has witnessed considerable challenges and change over the last five years.
“Clearly, local and regional market dynamics are also at play, but this market review can help wholesalers focus on the key challenges and opportunities for growth at time when there is an evolving regulatory environment.
“That said, Scottish wholesalers recognise the need for strategic investment and growth, and understanding how crucial it is to look to the future.”
