Once again, there’s a sharp decline in the number of independently owned C-Stores (Convenience Stores) in U.K., underscoring the growing power of large supermarket groups. Independent stores, that enjoyed 33% of the market share less than three-years ago, are showing steady decline, and now account for a mere 27.1% of market.
As per a report that IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) has compiled, number of non-affiliated independent C-Stores – stores that aren’t a part of symbol group like Spar or Londis – slid above 5% in 2006. On the other hand, there was a continuous rise in the number of neighborhood stores run by big retailers like Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Tesco, etc.
Independent C-Stores’ takings have slid by approximately £800m annually to just above £7bn, since 2004. Sales of supermarkets’, by contrast, through their small stores have exceeded £1.2bn - £3.47bn annually.
The decline has stunned small business leaders and community groups. They assert these small stores play the role of glue that holds various communities together. They’re meeting places, and provide customized services and usually sell locally produced goods and food. Also, valued services like a sub post-office, and paper rounds are being lost. Supermarkets’ C-Stores, by contrast, are accused of being identikit outlets that truck in merchandises from national distribution centers.
With increasing number of consumers preferring to shop in the vicinity, C-Store sector has turned fashionable over the past few years. Tesco and Sainsbury's have acquired numerous stores, whereas Somerfield and the Co-op are strongly emphasizing on convenience shopping in their strategies.
As per the RNCOS report "European Convenience Stores Market Report [2006-2008]", "In 2005, there’re 52085 C-Stores in the UK valued at £ 24 Billion, representing 20% of total grocery retail value in UK. Value of C-Stores is expected to continuously increase with sales to hit £ 30.8 Billion - £ 33.9 Billion mark by 2011. Despite some economic factors that are restraining the performance, there’s a strong demand for convenience shopping among consumers. The performance of the industry is primarily driven by the competitive and social factors."
Key issues and facts analyzed in this report include: market size of the European retail store industry with regional segmentation, factors driving growth in this sector, and so on.
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