Scottish convenience stores helping to deliver important Cost of Living support services with PayPoint
Scottish convenience stores are playing a key role in enabling customers and communities to access key government benefits and payments through real-time payment solutions offered by PayPoint according to the latest data from the payment service provider.
Housing and local authority payments figures collected by PayPoint highlight that over £431 million has been processed over the past three years, across more than 3,000 stores in Scotland. Trends also indicate that 26.2% of those transactions happen before 9am and after 5pm, while 19.33% of total transactions happen on a Saturday or Sunday. This suggests that, convenience retailing in essence, is a true 24 hour business as the data from PayPoint shows that that earliest transaction is between midnight and 1am, latest transaction is between 11pm and midnight.
Likewise for the DWP Payment Exception Service, the figures provided by PayPoint show that over £23 million has been distributed since launch last August across over 2,200 stores in Scotland thereby bring into focus the crucial role convenience stores are playing in helping families gain access to the financial support they need. Trends show that 10.2% of those transactions happen before 9am and after 5pm and 5% of total transactions happen on a Saturday or Sunday. The earliest transaction happened between 6am and 7am, latest transaction between 9pm and 10pm. In terms of geographical spread, the top 2 areas are Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the former representing over a third of transactions. However, this service does stretch to the islands, with customers in the Hebrides and Shetland using the service actively.
SGF Chief Executive Dr Pete Cheema OBE said: “Scottish convenience stores are at the heart of their communities providing key services to their customers, 7 days a week and this is clearly borne out by the latest data collected by PayPoint. Local shops, as the data shows, are able to help facilitate the mass distribution of government benefits in a quick and easily accessible way to those who need it most.
Independent Convenience stores are core community assets and are the “glue” in social and economic community building. They are owned and run by local people who care about the positive impact they can make to their local area.”
PayPoint Corporate Affairs & Marketing Director, Steve O’Neill said: “Our retailer partners have always done a fantastic job delivering vital community services for people across Scotland. This is even more important now as they help deliver important Cost of Living support services, including the Energy Bills Support Scheme launching this week. We’re proud to work in partnership with the Scottish Grocer’s Federation to continue to highlight the critical work the convenience sector does in Scotland.”
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation is currently holding its flagship annual conference in Glasgow and PayPoint, who are members of the federation, are holding a business breakout session at the event.
