ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has celebrated the investment, community contribution and range of services provided by the UK’s almost 19,000 rural convenience stores, despite significant challenges ahead.
The 2025 Rural Shop Report, launched today (29th January) sets out the ways that rural retailers make a difference in their communities, making a case for further support from Government to ensure that rural shops can continue to play their essential role in the future.
Key findings from the 2025 Rural Shop Report include:
· Rural shops provide secure, flexible jobs for over 178,000 people
· 40% of rural shops are the only convenience store in rural areas, with no other shops or businesses nearby
· Rural shops generated £18.5bn in sales last year
· Rural retailers have invested over £240m in their businesses over the last year to better serve their communities
The report highlights the unique challenges that rural retailers face compared to their more urban counterparts, including a lack of connectivity, issues with the cost and availability of deliveries, theft and other retail crime, and more. Featured in the report are case studies that bring these issues to life.
Hopes of Longtown, featured in the report, is an award-winning village shop and Post Office at the foot of the Black mountains in Hereford. The shop currently receives 100% discretionary business rates relief from the local council because of its status as the only shop in the village, but owner Christine Hope is concerned that this could be dropped as councils deal with growing budget deficits.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Hundreds of thousands of people in isolated areas across the UK rely on their local shop to provide them with the products and services that they need. If rural shops aren’t able to survive, invest and adapt, nobody will step in the host the Post Office, offer other essential services and promote the human interaction and social glue that binds those communities.
“These shops need to be supported by both local and national policymakers at a time when costs are rising significantly as a result of the Budget. We are calling on all MPs in rural constituencies to commit their support for the rural shops that trade at the heart of their communities.”
