The latest research by digital identity specialists, ID Crypt Global, has revealed that the UK convenience store market has increased by almost 4.1% in size in 2022, generating revenues to the tune of £47 billion.

ID said that despite the dominance of big supermarket brands within the UK, the convenience store sector has been going from strength to strength, as consumers move towards a little and often approach to shopping due to time constraints, as well as a greater emphasis on reducing food waste. 

There are currently an estimated 31,763 convenience stores across the UK, over 2,000 more than there were just a decade ago, with this number increasing by 1.7% in the last year alone. 

However, the research by ID Crypt Global also suggests that this increasing market size does come at a risk, with 37% of stores failing to pass ID check tests. 

Based on the current number of UK convenience stores, that’s some 11,752 businesses that are not currently operating as they should when it comes to their legal obligation to prohibit the sale of items such as tobacco and alcohol to minors.