Local stores see boom in demand during coronavirus lockdown

41% of Brits have been shopping at their local, independent stores more regularly than they did before the coronavirus outbreak, according to research by price comparison site finder.com.

It surveyed 2,000 people and also found that 36% are planning to use their local stores more often after lockdown. A further 29% haven’t changed their shopping habits and have continued to shop locally as usual.

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The primary reason is to avoid the crowds in supermarkets (54%) and the queues outside them (54%). Consumers are also motivated to support their local businesses during these times of financial hardship (46%).

Other reasons are not wanting to travel as far (39%), to find items that are sold out in the supermarkets (32%) and being unable to book online delivery slots from Sainsbury’s, Tesco et al (24%).

14% of people, meanwhile, are using them less over the past few weeks. A fifth of Brits who are currently using them more believe that they will return to less frequent visits after the lockdown. There are also 7% of people who are unable or unwilling to leave the house to go shopping.

Georgia-Rose Johnson, Shopping Expert at finder.com, says: “The fact that local, independent shops appear to be experiencing a boom in both demand and support during the lockdown will play a vital role in keeping local economies alive.”

“It is an opportunity for these local shops to remind the community of the value and convenience they bring, and it seems this is being reciprocated by the high numbers of shoppers who want to support local business.”

“A lot of people intend to continue giving regular custom to local shops, but the acid test will be when life eventually goes back to normal. Will this trend for local shopping continue or will the majority revert to relying on supermarkets?“