Local convenience stores are still struggling to compete with large supermarket chains when it comes to stocking and selling a range of good quality fresh produce, according to a recent HIM report.
Feedback from a survey of 27,000 people across 30 convenience chains including Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local and Spar showed that shoppers are choosing to buy fresh produce from supermarkets rather than their local stores.
Fruit and vegetables are the top selling department for shoppers who top-up or convenience shop in supermarkets, according to the report. Only a quarter of convenience shoppers think that their convenience store sells a suitable high quality range of produce.
Over a quarter of shoppers said they would use their store more often if locally produced goods were available, according to the survey. A total of 56 per cent of shoppers want to see locally grown produce sold at their local stores.
But only 11 per cent of shoppers said that they would like to see more healthy options in their local convenience stores. The report also showed that only 16 per cent of shoppers would consider buying organic food.
Fresh produce sold in convenience stores was rated at only 6.5 out of 10 by participants in the research. Tom Fender, chief operating officer at HIM, said: “Shoppers are looking for products that are fresh, local and healthy. The idea of convenience stores stocking local high quality produce is really important.
“But when shoppers can’t find what they are looking for at their local convenience store they end up shopping for them at supermarkets.”
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