Ireland is one of the most advanced markets in the world when it comes to the convenience channel, outperforming the UK in almost every area, a report from researchers him! International has found.
A total of 10,000 shoppers were interviewed across 11 countries, including Ireland, on their prevalence of shopping in the convenience channel, and their experience of shopping in c-stores.
The study found that Irish c-stores scored higher than their UK counterparts almost across the board in the eyes of respondents, with 19% of respondents awarding a '9' or '10' to Irish c-stores for 'friendly service' (compared to 17% in the UK), 12% awarding it a similar score for 'food to go offer' (compared to 9% in the UK), and 12% awarding it a similar score for 'pleasant place to shop' (compared to 10% in the UK).
Some 11% of respondents awarded Irish c-stores a '9' or '10' in terms of the 'overall shopping experience, compared to 10% in the UK.
The study also found that Irish shoppers make on average 2.79 trips per week to convenience stores, the third highest by country, after Russia (4.20 visits per week) and Poland (3.83 visits per week). The global average is 2.58 visits per week.
On average, roughly a quarter of global respondents believe that c-stores are 'competing better' against supermarkets now, compared to three years ago.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
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