The convenience sector is set to grow to £48.6bn by 2025, up £3.4bn on from the total value of sales in the year to March 2021, according to The Local Shop Report from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The ACS report also shows that across the UK’s 48,590 convenience stores, £605m was invested over the last year in areas such as refrigeration, shelving, store signage and internal building maintenance, 62% of which was funded through retailers own reserves. Within the past year, 73% of independent retailers have also invested in their local community, with the most common form of engagement through collecting money for charity. Some 36% of independent retailers, this has also involved donating to food banks which have seen referrals double since 2019, having reached 13,920 in July, according to Citizens Advice as food prices have continued to rise during the cost-of-living crisis. The report, which also looked into retail employees, found that of over 405,000 jobs which have been provided through the sector, 68% of these workers are satisfied with their job and a total of 76% feel secure within their employment.