Local shops see 63% sales jump during lockdown

Local and convenience stores have experienced a 63% boom in sales since the start of lockdown, according to research from retail shopping app Ubamarket.

Supermarkets may have been the big beneficiaries of the global pandemic, but consumers have increasingly turned to small independents to avoid the long queues and poor social distancing of their larger rivals.

And it seems that many supermarkets and online grocery delivery services have struggled to meet demand during the nation’s rush to stock up on essentials, leaving our local stores to pick up the slack.

In fact, according to a survey from Deloitte Digital, 59% of consumers claim to have increased their use of local stores and services during the lockdown. While research from market research firm Kantar found that independent shops and cooperatives have grown their share of the UK grocery market to 20% during this period.

What does it mean for the future of British retail?

With the rest of the British retail sector set to reopen on Monday 15th June, other independent shops should take heart from this growth in ‘going local’. But they should also take lessons on how to keep shoppers safe during the ongoing pandemic.

Having discovered the convenience and quality of their local shops, it remains to be seen whether consumer behaviour has changed for good. Nevertheless, after years of high street decline, it’s encouraging to see people discovering the benefits of our independent shops

Will Broome, CEO of Ubamarket and member of the Association of Convenience Stores comments:

“It is incredible to see that Britain’s local stores are enjoying such a period of much deserved success, now that the public has truly discovered the quality service, family atmosphere and amazing range of products that their local stores offer.

“Ubamarket has been working with brands such as Spar, Londis and Budgens for some time and we are thrilled to see these stores, and many others receive the boost they deserve.”