The young Brits are biggest fans of local c-store, PayPoint research reveals  

Brits prefer local convenience store to pubs and banks with the young turning out to be the biggest fans of their local convenience store, a new research commissioned by PayPoint has revealed.

Confirming the growing importance of convenience stores over the past year, the study has found the local newsagent or corner shop is in the top three most desirable local amenities, ahead of both the local pub and the bank branch.

In the conducted by One Poll, two in three Brits said their local convenience store has become more important to them over the past 12 months and 22 per cent relied on their local convenience store to supply essentials unavailable elsewhere (e.g. supermarkets) during lockdown.

The Gen Z has ranked the corner shop as the most valuable local institution, higher even than pharmacies, post offices and bank branches.

More crucially, over a quarter of respondents (27%) said they will do more local shopping after lockdown has ended.

More than just a place to stock up on essentials, a trip to the shop took on new meaning as the nation was plunged into lockdown. What was once a chore became a much sought-after excuse to leave the house and an opportunity to interact with someone from outside the household. The opportunity was seized – as 31 per cent  met new people in the neighbourhood through a chat at the local shop. Almost one in five (17%) are now on first name terms with the store operator.

“Over the past year we have seen a renewed appreciation for the local convenience store. The pandemic has encouraged a return to community roots in many parts of the UK and the independent convenience sector is thriving,” commented Ben Ford, retail services director at PayPoint.

“Many of the business owners in our network came to the rescue by stocking essential items during the first few months of lockdown. Similarly, the local convenience shop has been one of the few locations where people can engage in-person with someone from outside their bubble, which has seen relationships between business owners and local communities become stronger than ever.”

PayPoint sales data has also confirmed the increased reliance on independent retailers, revealing an average basket spend increase of 33 per cent year on year, rising from £5.61 in February 2020 to £7.47 in February 2021. The UK’s average basket spend peaked at £8.10 in April last year and this momentum has been sustained throughout Covid-19 pandemic as people continue to choose to shop locally.