This means the sector will have increased in value by more than a quarter from its current value of £33.6bn in 2011. Convenience’s share of the overall food and grocery market is expected to increase to 22.9% by 2016, compared to 21.4% by the end of this year.
Shoppers are seeing increasing benefits from using the convenience sector.
IGD ShopperTrack research found:
Nick Everitt, director of retail insight, IGD, said: “The convenience sector is doing well in challenging conditions and outperforming the wider grocery market.The convenience market’s success is down to a number of factors, including an ability to adapt to the changing demands of the UK population.
“Shoppers are, for example, increasingly favouring a ‘little and often’ approach, and convenience operators are responding by offering a wider range of product choices, including more fresh and chilled foods, such as fruit and vegetables. Convenience stores are also reaping the benefits of people cutting down on their car usage due to high petrol prices and so preferring to shop locally.”
Source: IGD
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