The rise of the convenience store could prove to be high streets’ saviour, says The Daily Telegraph’s Retail Viewpoint column.

 

Research from trade body the Institute of Grocery Distribution has identified 50,000 such shops in the UK, of which the multiple supermarket chains account for just 30% of sales. Morrisons is probably on track to have 300 M Local’s by 2015, Tesco has more than 1,930 convenience stores and Sainsbury’s has 541. Premier, which is owned by Booker, has 2,800 sites, Bestway, 2,600, Spar 2,400, the Co-operative Group, 1,800 and Costcutter 1,700. The writer says such stores increase footfall on high streets.