Insight Research - Global Convenience Store Focus

NACS Insight Global Convenience Store Focus

Global Convenience Store Focus > November 2009 issue

Fiona Briggs, Editor Dear Reader,

Global Convenience Store Focus is celebrating its first birthday and going from strength to strength with initiatives including the International Convenience Retailer of the Year Awards programme and a major, in-depth study on the challenges in the global tobacco category.

This month Insight Partner Dan Munford presents an exclusive feature and video interview with Tesco Fresh & Easy Store Design and Planning Director Steve Ryder. And in the UK I report from the IGD Convention where business leaders gathered to present and debate under a timely theme, Leadership in Adversity.

The IGD's latest shopper research is encouraging for convenience stores. It found shoppers are using their cars less, which is good news for local stores.

Looking to the future, the study found shoppers expect to spend more in neighbourhood stores in 2012 as well as at farmers' markets and specialist shops.

Tesco's chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, underscored the strength of convenience at the conference too, explaining why Tesco is expanding its convenience formats around the world.

"People's lives are becoming more hectic and they are willing to spend money to protect the time they have," he said. "It's a pain to shop around." Sir Terry said convenience extended beyond shopping formats, however. "Customers want all transactions to be simple, quick and easy," he added. It is no surprise then to learn Tesco has launched its first self-checkout only store. Asda, meanwhile, is ramping up self-checkout across its estate and in new areas of the business such as food-to-go. Self-service is definitely one to watch and certainly in convenience.

Fiona Briggs, Editor