Number of c-store owners working every day doubles as half didn’t take any days off in last 12 months

Nearly half (49%) of independent convenience store owners have worked every day over the last year, doubling the total from last year (24%), according to the 2021 Local Shop Report by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

While around one in five retailers reported taking no days off in previous years before the pandemic, this has jumped significantly over the last year as retailers have needed to keep up with waves of lockdowns, regulation changes, staff shortages and supply chain issues, the report noted.

“This last year has been hugely challenging for convenience stores, who have been open through every local and national lockdown, with retailers having to act fast to keep their stores safe for both customers and colleagues,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said.

“The people running and working in convenience stores are some of the hardest working people in the UK and are absolutely crucial to their communities. With more people working from home or hybrid working, there is more of a reliance than ever on the local shop to provide essential groceries and a wide range of services that have otherwise disappeared from high streets and local parades.”

The report also highlights the active role the stores play in their communities. Four out of five stores are engaged in their community in some form, with the majority collecting money for local and national charities, and over one in three donating to local food banks. Stores are also still investing in providing a better and wider range of services, with over £500m invested over the last year alone.

Other key figures from this year’s report include:

• Over 70% of the UK’s 47,000 convenience stores are run by independent retailers
• There are almost 400,000 people working in the convenience sector in 2021, 92 per cent of which are on a permanent employment contract.
• Convenience store colleagues worked a combined 9.6 million hours over the last year
• The convenience sector overall is now worth over £43bn a year
• Consumers rate convenience stores as the top local service that has a positive impact in their community, followed by pharmacies and post offices.