Convenience stores could benefit from an increase in impulse sales as schools and offices return, according to Kantar.

The analyst said that, while grocery sales in the 12 weeks to 5 September fell annually by 1.9%, sales were 8.7% higher than pre-Covid-19 levels.

Supermarket shortages create ‘massive opportunity’ for local shops

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, predicted a change in footfall as schools and offices returned. He said: “In the first week of September, we measured the highest supermarket footfall all year outside of the Easter period with more people out and about picking up items as they go.”

McKevitt suggested convenience stores could benefit from these buying habits. “That suggests a hint of change and could see shoppers shun the ‘big shop’ in favour of more frequent top-up buying,” he said.

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