Scottish Convenience Stores Tops $5.6 Billion in Annual Sales

The retailers generate close to $849 million in gross value added to the nation’s economy.

April 06, 2016

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Sales at Scottish convenience stores have been on the upswing, with the most recent figures finding annual sales of more than $5.6 billion, The Herald reports. That translates into nearly $849 million in gross value added to the nation’s economy.

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), in conjunction with the U.K. Association of Convenience Stores, released the findings in the Scottish Local Shop Report. “For the first time we have Scottish-specific data that shows the enormous impact on the national economy of the independent convenience store sector,” said Pete Cheema, CEO of the federation.

Last year, independent convenience stores numbered more than 5,600 in Scotland, a 1%-plus jump over 2014. With one location per 946 residents, Scotland has more units per person than any other area in the United Kingdom.

“The value of sales and the value of the jobs provided by the sector make a further contribution to Scotland’s economy,” Cheema said. “If we consider that convenience stores provide vital routes to market for our manufacturers and wholesalers, then the impact is even greater.”

“The key to this industry’s success is the role that these shops play in their local communities,” said Shaun Marwaha, managing director of Scotfresh, a chain of eight locations. “It’s not just money directly being spent in our stores, but the fact [that] we employ local people, so the stores help sustain those communities.”

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