Convenience stores see growth in average spend, visit frequency and basket size

Average spend, visit frequency and basket size in the convenience channel have all seen growth in June, latest data from Lumina Intelligence has shown.

According to the Convenience Tracking Programme of the market researcher, the average weekly value of convenience store shoppers has increased by 6 per cent during the four weeks ending 27 June to £22.98, from £21.68 in the previous period.

The increase has been driven by an increase in average basket size (+0.1 to 2.8 items per trip) and visit frequency (+0.2 to 2.8 times per week), the report added.

“Following a decrease in spend during the 4WE 30/05, it is a really positive picture for convenience, with spend, footfall and basket size all growing,” commented Katherine Prowse, senior insight manager at Lumina Intelligence.

“Despite hospitality rules easing, rising coronavirus cases and the ‘pingdemic’ will have resulted in many consumers being cautious and opting to cook at home more. Furthermore, many will have hosted gatherings and watched England’s success at the Euros, which is reflected in the growth of the meal occasion mission.”

However, there was a decline in the proportion of shoppers on a planned top-up mission (-1ppt to 21.6 per cent), with the food to go (+0.6ppt to 15.6 per cent) and meal occasion (+1.8ppt to 14.8 per cent) missions both recording increases versus the previous four week period.

The report has also found that the convenience store delivery continues to grow its share of occasions: +0.9ppt to 7.1 per cent of total convenience store occasions. Click & Collect has also increased its share +0.2ppt to 2.2 per cent.

“This is a notable sign that the shift towards delivery is permanent and not just a lockdown phenomenon that will fade away,” the report said.