A new report from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) celebrates the vital role of the UK’s nearly 19,000 rural convenience stores, highlighting their significant investment, community contributions, and diverse services.
This recognition, however, comes despite the considerable challenges these businesses face. The 2025 Rural Shop Report, released today (29 January), details how rural retailers positively impact their communities and argues for increased government support to ensure their continued success.
Key findings from the report underscore the importance of these stores: they provide secure, flexible employment for over 178,000 people; 40 per cent are the sole convenience store in their area, serving as a lifeline for residents; they generated £18.5 billion in sales last year; and rural retailers have collectively invested over £240 million in their businesses over the past year to better serve their communities.
The report highlights the unique challenges that rural retailers face compared to their more urban counterparts, including a lack of connectivity, issues with the cost and availability of deliveries, theft and other retail crime, and more.
Hopes of Longtown, featured in the report, is an award-winning village shop and post office at the foot of the Black mountains in Hereford, is a case in point. The shop currently receives 100 per cent discretionary business rates relief from the local council because of its status as the only shop in the village, but owner Christine Hope is concerned that this could be dropped as councils deal with growing budget deficits.
“Hundreds of thousands of people in isolated areas across the UK rely on their local shop to provide them with the products and services that they need. If rural shops aren’t able to survive, invest and adapt, nobody will step in the host the post office, offer other essential services and promote the human interaction and social glue that binds those communities,” ACS chief executive James Lowman commented.
“These shops need to be supported by both local and national policymakers at a time when costs are rising significantly as a result of the Budget. We are calling on all MPs in rural constituencies to commit their support for the rural shops that trade at the heart of their communities.”
