Local Scottish Shops Shine During Pandemic
Scottish Grocers Federation CEO shares how c-stores helped communities cope with COVID-19.
Aug 26, 2020 | 2 min read
EDINBURGH, Scotland—Have independent convenience stores made a difference during the coronavirus pandemic? The answer is a resounding yes, according to Pete Cheema, CEO of the Scottish Grocers Federation, in The Press and Journal.
Local shops have played a vital role during the pandemic. “One thing seems clear: The important contribution of local—the local shop, the local community, the local place—in enabling Scotland to cope with COVID-19,” he wrote in a column. “If we look at our own sector of independent convenience stores, we can see clear evidence of the pivotal role they have played in supporting customers and communities.”
He pointed to c-stores minimizing “the impact of panic buying and empty shelves in the larger retailers.” In addition, shoppers “have embraced shopping locally, and the sector has captured 30% of the overall grocery market with sales increasing by up to 60%,” Cheema wrote.
The friendliness of convenience retailers in knowing their customers “meant that convenience stores could easily identify people who had become vulnerable or who were at risk.” Those same retailers also ensured customers received essential products directly.
Cheema touted how quickly the convenience sector pivoted to meet the needs of its customers. “Given the constraints of space and resources, one of the sector’s most remarkable achievements has been to create safe spaces for customers to shop,” he wrote. “They have been able to do all of this because they are flexible, can make decisions quickly and are close to their local communities.”
NACS has compiled resources to help the convenience retail community navigate the COVID-19 crisis. For news updates and guidance, visit our coronavirus resources page.
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