Brits become convenience converts during coronavirus pandemic
Younger Brits have been driving a convenience store revival during the coronavirus outbreak, according to research from PayPoint.
The company surveyed 2,000 people and found that 56% visited their local convenience store for the first time after lockdown started on 23rd March, which rose to 68% among 18-24-year olds and 59% among 25-34-year-olds.
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51% plan to continue shopping in this way to support local small businesses post-lockdown. 66% agreed that their local store had a positive impact on the local area, and 71% thought of it as an integral part of the community.
65% said their local had everything they need. This is supported by PayPoint’s EPoS data, that shows a significant average sales uplift of groceries (36%), bread and cakes (52%), alcohol (64%), and household items (75%) between March and July, compared with the period between November 2019 and February 2020.
The young family demographic visits their local convenience store most frequently; with people aged 35-44 averaging 9.44 trips per month, beating the youngest age group who visit 8.44 times monthly. However, 25-34s are also the group most likely to continue supporting local convenience now lockdown has eased (56%).
Nick Wiles, Chief Executive at PayPoint, says: “Shoppers know they can trust their store to provide a safe environment and well stocked range of products and this is galvanising convenience retailers’ value to communities up and down the country.”
“As lockdown continues to ease, the data tells us that ‘convenience converts’ will continue to use their convenience stores for a range of services, from everyday food and drink purchases to parcel pick-ups and drop-offs, utility bill top-ups, cash withdrawals and much more.”
