Morrisons could face a multi-million pound bill if the retailer tries to offload its M local convenience stores (c-stores), according to recent media reports.
The recovery among high street retailers and increased consumer demand for convenience shopping should prompt manufacturers to invest in and change their ranges and operations, an industry veteran has urged.
The UK convenience store market is expected to increase in value to £49bn by 2019, growing by over 30% in the next five years from a current value of £37bn, according to the latest projections from grocery think tank IGD.
Posh retailer Waitrose is preparing for UK expansion, fuelled by convenience stores in south eastern England and new sales in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Food manufacturers supplying the retail sector are being advised to adapt their offer to make the most of the growth potential of the convenience channel.
