New research from industry research firn Mintel reveals that 45 per cent of UK shoppers say they regularly visit convenience stores to do a top-up shop with 7 per cent visiting the stores for their main weekly or monthly shop.
The growth in the convenience sector has been driven by a shift in grocery habits from consumers who are looking to cut down on the time spent grocery shopping.
Of those who visit convenience stores, 59 per cent visit twice a week or more, 12 per cent shopping 4 to 6 times a week and 5 per cent saying they do so daily.
Mintel research indicates that it is the flexibility of convenience stores that is key for today’s time-pressed consumer as three-quarters of those surveyed say the opening times of convenience stores make it easier to fit shopping into their daily schedule.
Meanwhile, 45 per cent say they regularly visit convenience stores to do a top-up shop
Alongside discount and online shoppers, younger consumers, in particular, are making full use of convenience stores. An impressive 56 per cent of those aged 18-24 say they regularly use convenience stores, with 14 per cent of this age group using the stores for their main weekly or monthly shop.
Nick Carroll, retail analyst at Mintel, said: “The increasingly busy nature of modern life means that across categories consumers are looking to cut back on the time that it takes to do certain activities."
Grocery retailing is "no different", he explained, and the convenience sector is "perhaps the best suited to take advantage of this".
As a result, the market is "flourishing", he concluded.
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