SGF Scottish Local Shop Report 2022
Compiled in collaboration with ACS, our Local Shop Report has revealed the enormous contribution that convenience stores in Scotland make to people’s lives, not just as essential grocery businesses, but as job creators, community hubs and beacons of entrepreneurship.
This year’s report highlights the decisions being made in the Scotland’s 5,098 convenience stores in areas like investment, staffing, product mix, technology and service offerings, and delivery.
Key figures from this year’s report include:
There are over 49,000 colleagues working in the convenience sector in Scotland, with 11% of shop owners working 70+ hours per week.
71% of stores in the UK convenience sector are run by independent retailers, either entirely unaffiliated or as part of a symbol group.
Across the UK, the convenience sector generated over £45bn in sales over the last year, with that figure set to grow to over £48bn by 2025.
Convenience stores in Scotland have invested over £65m over the last year.
57% of customers in Scotland agree that local shops provide an essential service for their local community
The full report, which takes a comprehensive look at where local shops trade, what we sell, technology, services, home delivery, how we operate, communities and customers, is available to download below, or you can email our Public Affairs team at jamiem@sgfscot.co.uk for more information.
SGF Launches Election Manifesto
The next Scottish government and the Scottish Parliament have key roles to play in ensuring Scotland’s convenience stores sustain their recovery from the pandemic. That is the key message in Scottish Grocers Federation’s Scottish Election manifesto, which is launched today. Developed in collaboration with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the manifesto lists five key areas and interventions across government and parliament. The first of these is to maintain the Small Business Bonus Scheme for the lifetime of the next parliament. The SBBS ensures that local stores can stay in business, support employment and investment.
Additionally, the manifesto calls for a moratorium on any new legislation impacting on the sector, dedicated funding to ensure that convenience stores can promote Scottish products, business impact assessments to ensure that traffic management and road redesign do not restrict deliveries or customer access to stores. The document also contains an urgent call for the Scottish government to begin to collect robust data on retail crime. Remarkably no data on retail crime is currently recorded in Scotland.
SGF chief executive Pete Cheema commented,
“Convenience stores have played a vital role in supporting customers and communities through the pandemic. It is vital that we build on this and ensure the long-term sustainability of local, community-based stores. Our manifesto sets out tangible, practically-focused measures which are all achievable within the lifetime of the next parliament. We will work closely with new Scottish government and with MSPs from across all the political parties to ensure a thriving convenience store sector in Scotland.”
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We need the next Scottish Government to recognise the important role of local shops in delivering essential goods and services in communities. As a sector we are committed to helping the Government meet the complex environmental and social challenges, but we also need a balanced regulatory and tax environment to trade competitively.”
Guide to Renewing Your Personal Licence for Selling Alcohol
As you will be aware the process for renewing a Personal Licence to sell alcohol in Scotland is now underway. Licensing experts TLT Solicitors have produced a step by step guide to this for all SGF members.
We are delighted to attach the guide - please click here to download.
Please also note that the number for the TLT licensing hotline for SGF members is 0333 006 1996
