Shoppers are looking for lower prices, says data

The analyst’s latest data, which covers the four weeks to 25 July, indicate that the average amount spent per week by convenience store shoppers fell 1% to £23.27.

During the same period the number of items per basket remained stable, which led Lumina to conclude that shoppers are becoming more value conscious and opting for lower cost products.

The average number of shopping trips of convenience shoppers has also fallen slightly, from 2.8 times per week to 2.6.

This reflects the easing of restrictions and pre-pandemic shopping habits returning.

This is further highlighted by a decline in the proportion of shoppers using delivery and click & collect.

The proportion of shoppers using delivery fell from 7.1% to 3.1%. Click & collect saw a decline of -1.9ppts, from 2.2% to 0.3%.

Katherine Prowse, Lumina’s senior insight manager, said: “With restrictions easing, convenience stores are having to compete with other grocery channels, as well as hospitality.

“Shoppers are becoming more comfortable out and about, so larger shops within supermarkets are more prominent.

“As hospitality re-opens and events return, there is also a challenge around budgets. Shoppers will be keen to make up for lost time, which could result in them becoming more budget conscious with their groceries.

“This is already apparent with spend declining and impulse purchasing on promotions increasing. Retailers can lean on this demand for promotions to drive footfall and highlight value.”