MANY had to rethink their spending when the economic climate took a turn for the worse.
“The threat to supermarkets from local 99p stores could be as great as the threat from Aldi and Lidl.”
According to new research by specialist wholesaler Rowan, shoppers in the North West prefer to visit local independents for their bargain goods - even more so than large discount supermarket chains such as Aldi and Lidl.
The poll of 2,000 UK adults found that 67.25% of people living across the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, shop in price-slashed 99p stores.
Over 80% of that number said they will continue to use the retailers even if their personal financial circumstances improve.
When asked why they shopped in independent discounters, 55% of customers said the shopping experience had improved, while 62% said the products were becoming better.
“The threat to supermarkets from local 99p stores could be as great as the threat from Aldi and Lidl.”
James Russell, Rowan’s commercial director, explained while cheaper supermarket chains have grown, smaller rivals have gained a significant increase in customers.
He said: “The threat to supermarkets from local 99p stores could be as great as the threat from Aldi and Lidl.”
"It’s no secret that Aldi and Lidl have grown recently – they are big chains, so this gets noticed. However, their smaller rivals have also boomed, but this has slipped under the radar. Arguably the growth of British independent discounters is the more significant trend across the UK and more specifically in the North West.”
With rising food prices, it's unsurprising that shoppers are attempting to be more discerning when it comes to where they shop. It would seem the stigma attached to budget buying in budget stores is disappearing.
Russell added: "Unlike Aldi or Lidl, independent discounters tend be on high streets, so are ideally-placed to benefit from the new trend of customers shopping around rather than buying all their goods in one weekly supermarket visit.
"At the same time, they are beginning to stock more popular brands, and stock them consistently. Put together, this means more customer visits and increased customer trust."
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Photo Credit (Poundland): Steven Bullock
