ACS publishes report providing key insights into the social and economic contributions of the rural shop sector

IRC member ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has published the Rural Shop Report 2022, which provides key insights into the social and economic contributions of the rural shop sector, including profiles of the entrepreneurs that run rural shops, the investments they make and services they provide for the community.

Rural shops bring valued access to a wide range of products, services and employment opportunities and have invested £195m over the past year. The report has found there are 17,000 rural convenience stores in mainland UK, employing over 138,000 people. 79% of rural convenience stores are owned and operated by independent retailers and most (49%) trade in isolated locations where no other business trades.

Rural shops are often the only physical grocery and service centre for a village or group of villages, and rural consumers rank a convenience store as the most essential service for their local area.

Useful links

• Find a shop
  
• Best Small Shops competition
  
• Jobs board
  

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