Sam Rowlands thanks small shops of Wales for supporting economy

Sam Rowlands, MS for North Wales, has thanked shops in the region for their part in helping the economy and communities.

This is following the release of the Welsh Local Shop Report for 2022, which found that Wales had more shops per head than any other part of the UK, with more than 25,000 people employed across 2,795 convenience stores.

“These small shops in North Wales play a key role in the lives of the community, not only for the products they offer but also by acting as social hubs,” Rowlands said.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the local shops who play a valuable role in supporting the economy and local communities and have continued to do so throughout the pandemic.”

Rowlands also urged people to continue to support these stores.

“I have long been a supporter of buying local and I always encourage everyone to use local stores whenever possible, especially in rural areas.”

The Welsh Local Shop Report, published by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), found that 67 per cent of this investment was funded by the retailers’ own reserves and refrigeration being the most common area of investment amongst independent retailers.

More than three out of five (61 per cent) local shop colleagues in Wales plan to keep working in the convenience sector in the future, with around one in three looking toward a more senior role, stated the ACS report.

The report also found that 83 per cent of independent retailers in the country engaged in some form of community activity over the last year, helping convenience stores take the number one spot in the list of services that have the most positive impact in the community, and one of the top three most essential services, as rated by consumers in Wales.