British Shoppers Save £800 Million a Year by Supporting Local Shops
Over 20 million people a day now walk to their local shop; according to research commissioned by My Shop is Your Shop and Unilever’s leading brands Flora and Persil Small & Mighty.
This research has revealed a short walk to the local independently owned store is saving British shoppers over £2 million per day in fuel costs.
Campaigners say the credit crunch allied to increasing consumer awareness of climate change issues and higher fuel costs is providing a new platform from which small shops can begin a new drive for increased shopper visits.
According to the study of 20,000 shopping transactions, which involved 52 retailers this year, it’s not only the credit crunch and rising fuel prices that play a major part in the increasing number of Britons walking to the shops, but also the worry about carbon emissions.
Commenting on the findings of this study, Alan Toft, Chairman of The My Shop is Your Shop Campaign said: “This data gives the independent sector a new basis for increased footfall. Small shops are a community amenity entirely divorced from the large multiples who are marketing their offering based on price.
“With petrol prices reaching higher levels, people are increasingly starting to shun their cars and walk to the shops instead. The benefits of this are threefold – it’s good for people’s health and wealth; great for the planet and also excellent news for Independent shopkeepers.”
Toft said retailers should use the theme of Walk & Shop and point out to their customers the environmental and cost benefits resulting from using their store.
He added: “Think Global, Shop Local is a platform which can build sales.”
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This research adds to the growing weight of evidence that people are looking to local shops to support them as costs rise and disposable income contracts. Retailers who are playing a full role in their community stand to gain most from this trend.”
The My Shop is Your Shop campaign is designed to celebrate and improve consumer awareness of the unique value to the community provided by the country’s 45,000 local independent convenience stores, newsagents and rural shops.