According to the Lumina Intelligence UK Convenience Market Report 2021, the UK convenience retail market is set to grow +0.3% in 2021, to a value of £43.2bn. This follows a year of extraordinary growth (+6.3%) in 2020 off the back of the pandemic.

Co-operatives lead market growth
Growth in 2021 is set to be led by the convenience multiples (+2.1%) and co-operatives (+5.3%). Following growth of +9.6% in 2020, unaffiliated independents are set to experience a decline of -2.2% in 2021.

Independents are expected to see decline, as shoppers return to larger stores in the second half of the year, however value will remain higher than pre-pandemic.

A lack of outlet growth (+0.1%) from symbol groups will lead to a relatively static sales performance (-0.4%), with shoppers continuing to use in-store and delivery services.

Symbols and indies drive higher frequency, but lower spend
Average spend per visit to a convenience store is £10.82, with the average shopper buying 3.3 items and visiting 2.5 times per week.

Average spend within managed convenience stores is £11.60 per visit – 30% higher than average spend at symbol and independent convenience stores (£8.92).

However, average visit frequency to a symbol or independent convenience store is 2.9 times per week – 26% higher than for managed convenience stores (2.3 visits per week). Shopper spend in managed convenience is higher due to wider ranges of more lucrative items including fresh and chilled, food to go and alcohol.

Three in ten shoppers on a planned top up mission
Top shopper missions within convenience:
Top up (planned) 31%
Newsagent 16%
Meal occasions 14%
Top up (unplanned) 12%
Food-to-go 11%

Shop visits are becoming more planned due to the impact of coronavirus, as shoppers have grown used to quieter diaries and less frequent shopping.

The Meal occasion mission ranks in the top three most common missions, driven by government restrictions placed on the hospitality industry. Retailers can drive spend within the meal occasion mission through meal merchandising and promotions that encourage upsell.

The convenience market expected to total £47.1bn in 2024
After a slowdown in 2021, convenience market growth is set to pick back up between 2022-24 and be worth £47.1bn in 2024 - a net increase of +£3.9 billion from 2021.

Commenting on the results, Blonnie Whist, Insight Director at Lumina Intelligence said, “Following an extraordinary 2020, it is unsurprising that growth within UK convenience retail has slowed. As restrictions ease and hospitality fully reopens, there will be a rebalancing of meal occasions.

'Co- operatives are set to continue to achieve strong growth in value and outlets with ambitious growth plans, further expansion into delivery operations and developments in own label.

“The convenience market has a unique opportunity to build on the customers and spend gained throughout the pandemic to continue to grow as a core shopping channel for consumers. Growth drivers in convenience will include the continued expansion and roll out of on-demand and delivery services as well as click & collect for larger more urban stores.

'Suburban stores can continue to enhance their role as key community destinations including continuing to provide core household essentials and increasing reach into attractive lunchtime meal solutions for home workers.”

(source: Lumina Intelligence, image: pexels)