Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

C-Stores do well ahead of Plan-B - but what will Christmas bring?

C-Stores do well ahead of Plan-B - but what will Christmas bring?
Image: iStock
Getty Images

The Retail Data Partnership (RDP), a leading provider of EPoS technology to the independent convenience sector, has revealed data that suggests that independent retailers are benefitted dramatically from movement restrictions and recent supermarket shortages following consumer panic buying. Since then, says RDP's Bryony Walton, sales have remained high in comparison to the previous 12 months.

"As we wait for new announcements from the government and potential new Covid-related restrictions, we take a look at how C-stores have fared over the past few months," she said.


"At the start of the pandemic, the average sales in C-stores increased dramatically, prompted by movement restrictions and supermarket shortages following consumer panic buying. Since then, sales have remained high in comparison to the previous 12 months.

Stores that provided a lifeline for their customers during the emergency have most likely become their lifetime supplier, reflected in continued high sales. Although November basket spend was 4.3 per cent down, total footfall increased +4.1 per cent compared with November 2020."

Walton said the data reveals how shoppers are buying less but more often, compared to lockdown, where they visited less often but bought more while they were there.

A year and a half on from the first lockdown, C-stores are not only still ahead of pre-pandemic performance, but year-on-year figures are also positive. "Average sales per store last month increased by 0.1 per cent compared to November 2020, and by 15.6 per cent compared to November 2019," said Walton.

RDP figures show that in the latest three months, average sales per store have increased by 2.1 per cent compared to the same period last year, based on EPOS sales from over 3500 stores which covered 320 million transactions in the past year.

"If restrictions do return it’s possible that C-stores will once again be providing for the needs of the country," Walton added, saying that the looming threat of strike action jeopardises the ability of some large supermarkets to keep stores supplied and open.

"It seems that customers might once again be relying on their corner store to provide Christmas essentials. Stores can be ready to be Merry!"

More for you

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

Local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget's impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less