There are more rural convenience stores, and significant changes in the services they provide, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS)’s Rural Shop Report 2024, which was released last week.
The new edition of the Rural Shop Report was launched in parliament. According to the ACS, it aims to outline the difference the UK’s rural convenience stores make as secure local employers, as entrepreneurs investing and working with local businesses, and as essential service providers.
The total number of rural convenience stores increased by 266 in the past year to 17,986 stores. A higher number of these stores are supporting community activities.
Rural shops’ contribution to communities
The report stresses the role the local shop plays in rural communities. More than 4 in 5 (83%) engaged in a range of different community activities in the past year. Up from 77% on the previous year. Significantly, according to the report, 49% of rural convenience stores are isolated, that is, there is no other retail or service businesses close by.
Other key stats in the report include that rural shops employ over 170,000 people. These tend to be local, the majority living close enough to be able to walk to work. Meanwhile, 55% of rural shoppers walk to their store. Forty-six percent travelling less than a mile to do so. According to the ACS, if their local shop was no longer there, shoppers would have to travel an extra 2.83 miles to find another shop.
Read more ACS news
What local stores are offering
Elsewhere, the report gives insight into the opening hours offered by rural stores. Five percent are open 24 hours a day. Only 6% close on Sundays. Typical convenience stores are open 7am until 10pm.
The proportion of rural convenience stores featuring coffee machines, grocery delivery services, bakeries, lottery services and free-to-use ATMs all increased, while the proportion offering hot food to go and bill payments services declined.
Average basket size dropped by 13% to 2.6 items, although the average basket value rose by 7% to £6.70.
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