Independent convenience store openings up by 531 in early 2022, supermarkets down

A total of 531 more independent stores opened in the first half of this year, compared with the same period last year, according to a new report.

Research from the Local Data Company, published last week, revealed a net increase of 1,335 retail units, up from 804 in the first half of 2021.

The upward trend has been attributed to the continued ‘shop local’ trend, which grew during the pandemic in independent and convenience stores.

Commercial director Lucy Stainton said: “Independents in particular have continued to flourish as consumers remain loyal to their local high streets.”

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However, she warned: “We can’t be naive to oncoming economic pressures as consumers face a winter with less disposable income and increased caution. Just as the market has started to find its feet, it feels as though we are about to face a new round of tests. Perhaps the lessons learned during the pandemic will prove fundamental to chains and independents enduring these, too.”

Elsewhere, multiples saw the largest improvement in this period, with 2,993 fewer units lost than in the year before.

Overall, however, multiples experienced a net decline of 2,258 units in the first half of this year.

This helped to close the gap between supermarkets and independents, with certainty returning to the market and the ending of restrictions bringing footfall back to stores.