ACS report shows rural shops have ‘most positive impact’ on communities

The ACS has released its Rural Shop Report 2024, outlining the importance of stores in isolated areas.

Convenience stores are considered to have the most ‘positive impact’ in rural areas, and generated £17.1bn in sales last year.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Rural shops make a huge difference locally, as a social hub, a stable employer, and a provider of essential services that would otherwise not be available at all.

“We are calling on MPs to help rural retailers in the battle against shop theft and abuse, to enable stores to continue providing access to cash for customers, and to level up the digital infrastructure that connects rural shops so that they can invest in modernising their businesses.”

The report also found that more than four in five independent retailers in the rural community engage in different community activities over the past year.

In light of the report, the ACS is urging the government to support rural shops. The majority (95%) of rural stores have CCTV, with 87% boasting lottery services and 72% offering bill payment services. Just under half (49%) offer free-to-use cash machines, and only 24% of rural stores offer Post Office services.  

Rural Services Network chief executive Kerry Booth said: “We are delighted at the Rural Services Network to be supporting the launch of the Rural Shop Report today.  Rural shops play a critical role at the heart of our rural communities helping to reduce isolation and loneliness, and enabling residents to benefit from services that, due to poor connectivity or lack of transport links, they would be otherwise unable to access.”

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