ACS

A new study highlights the importance of choice and access to local grocery shops. The study commissioned by ACS systematically reviewed published UK evidence on the social and economic impacts of small grocery stores and will be presented at the first ACS Heart of the Community Seminar on the 12th November.

Carried out by marketing experts at Newcastle University Business School and Lancaster University Management School, the research recommends that policy intervention is needed to ensure that all consumers benefit from a small store within five minutes walk of where they live.

To accompany the academic research ACS commissioned a poll conducted by GfK NOP, that showed that one fifth of adults said that they do not have access to local shops within a five minute walk. The poll also found that over one third of adults believe that the number of local shops within an easy walk has decreased over the last five years, while under a quarter of people believe there are more outlets than five years ago. Crucially, given the current economic position over half of those asked felt that having a local shop within five minutes walking distance was more important to them in times of financial downturn and impending recession.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The Newcastle review is the first systematic and comprehensive review of the academic evidence. It supports our view that local shops play a vital economic and social role. It also challenges policy makers to consider the interventions that are necessary to support these stores. At our Heart of the Community Seminar we are bringing together the retailers and policy makers to debate how this can be achieved.

“One of the key findings of the research is that consumers want easy access to local shops and it also shows that these shops bring economic and social benefits that extend beyond simple customer choice. This need is urgent as our polling shows that nearly one quarter of all people currently don’t have a shop within easy walk of where they live, and over a third believe that access is declining.

“Grocery retailers and politicians have mutual interests. For us the Heart of the Community debate is about making clear to politicians that policy has to adapt to stop trends of decline. By better supporting the local grocery shop, policy can deliver benefits in terms of consumer choice and economic investment, reducing car usage and strengthening community links.”