Following the outstanding success of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s Go Local Programme, launched in December 2020, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon has approved the roll-out of the next phase of the project, extended until the end of May 2026.
A report on the benefits of the project was published earlier in the year, highlighting a remarkable increase in Scottish products being sold over the counter in participating stores. Taking part in the programme results in an average growth in sales of goods sourced from local producers of 44 per cent. The report also provides evidence of a significant multiplier impact and boost for the local economy, with expected increases of around £169k per store per annum.
Phase 6 will see a further allocation of £195k for the programme and the selection of at least forty geographically and demographically diverse stores, to secure increased display space for Scottish products. As well as using the available Scottish supplier databases to grow the number of suppliers and improve customer choice.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “Since 2020, we have been working with the Scottish Grocers Federation to get more Scottish products on the shelves in local convenience stores. We know people want to buy and support local producers and that’s why I am absolutely delighted to announce that we are providing a further £195,000 funding for phase 6 of the "Go Local" programme.
“It’s great to see the impact the programme has made in the last five years, with over 130 stores supported by ‘Go Local’, 103 local producers participating in meet the buyer events and participating stores on average stocking 36 per cent more Scottish local produce. I look forward to seeing first-hand the work being done in the coming months.”
Jamie Buchanan, Go Local Programme Director, added: “Working together with both Scotland Food & Drink and the Scottish Government, the SGF Go Local Programme has truly brought about a sea change in how participating stores source their produce. Shifting the focus toward local suppliers and delivering a substantial benefit for both businesses and the community.
“Producers and retailers get direct access to their local market while also improving sustainability, cutting out long-distance transport costs. Meanwhile, customers ensure they are getting only the best quality local produce and provide a boost for their local economy at the same time.
“We are confident that we can do much more, however, and the tremendous success of the programme so far is evidence of that. Needless to say, we are delighted that the Cabinet Secretary and the Scottish Government are backing the next phase of the project, into 2026.”
Scotland Food & Drink UK Market Manager, Angus Bell commented: “The Go Local Programme has been a tremendous success in helping to promote and build sales of locally sourced Scottish products, and we are delighted with this support for the next phase of the programme. Scotland Food & Drink will continue to work together with the Scottish Grocers Federation, local producers, and convenience retailers to deliver a strong and relevant local offer through supplier upskilling, market insight and meet the buyer activities.”
Professor of Retail Studies, Leigh Sparks, from the University of Stirling, added: "The investment in the Go Local programme has seen shops and communities across Scotland benefit from a focus on local produce and suppliers, so the extension of the programme is really welcome news. Our research demonstrated the impressive benefits that can be obtained and the economic, social and environmental advantages released."
Research Fellow, Dr Maria Rybaczewska, from the University of Stirling, also commented: “Our analysis revealed that an average growth in sales of goods sourced from local producers significantly outperformed that of the overall stock. Key healthier local product categories driving this growth include dairy, food-to-go, bakery and bread rolls, chilled food, and soft drinks.”
Administered by the Scottish Grocer’s Federation, the Go Local Programme provides individual grants for retailers to invest in expanding dedicated space for local products, provides assets to improve consumer engagement and is supported by Scotland Food & Drink facilitating ‘meet-the-buyer’ events linking up local retailers with producers in their area.
The programme is contributing towards the local food strategy and also proving to be a pillar of strength for participating retailers by differentiating their offer from their competition. The average convenience store on the programme is delivering 31 per cent of their total sales from Scottish products (when tobacco and news are excluded).
Retailers who already have a Scottish proposition can benefit from the substantial point of sale kit without investing, by requesting a kit through the online application portal.
The Go Local Project Report 2024 can be downloaded here.
Grants will be awarded for the installation of new equipment dedicated to locally sourced Scottish products on a 50 per cent match-funding basis, capped at £5,500 (multi-site operators will be limited to one application per company). The grant application form can be found here.
Andrew Goodacre
Andrew Goodacre
