Retail Sentiment Trackers
Keep your finger on the pulse of independent convenience retail with our Retail Sentiment Trackers, where 200 retailers share their views on key issues in the channel.
Retail Sentiment Tracker: Q1 2026
2 months ago
Independent convenience at the start of 2026 is cautious, but not defeated. The sector is fragmenting and confidence, opportunity and capability differ sharply depending on the size, type and affiliation of the store – and its owner. While the pressures stores are facing dominate the conversation, and there are concerns about the future prospects of core categories, sales optimism is present in categories like soft drinks, alcohol, ice cream, snacks and services like bill payments and parcels.
Read moreRetail Sentiment Tracker: Q3 2025
8 months ago
The newest version of Newtrade’s Retail Sentiment Tracker shows that 58% of stores have cut staff hours in store, with the average shop owner cutting more than 11 paid hours of staff time from each week’s rota. The figures suggest a £150m annual saving across the independent convenience sector from wages alone so far.
Read moreRetail Sentiment Tracker: Q1 2025
1 year ago
For the fourth consecutive quarterly, the number of retailers who expressed any confidence in future sales or profit growth declined. What is behind this – and how are successful retailers navigating these difficulties?
Read moreRetail Sentiment Tracker: Q3 2024
2 years ago
A challenging sales period coupled with continued pressures on costs has combined to create a perfect storm, which means that running a convenience store is more pressured than ever.
Read moreRetail Sentiment Tracker: Q1 2024
2 years ago
How are retailers feeling about the next 12 months – and where are they focusing their profit-growing efforts?
Read moreCustomer Engagement: The Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Convenience Retailers
3 years ago
A survey of independent retailers and industry experts across the UK
Read moreDiversity, Equity and Inclusion: Challenges and Opportunities for Convenience Stores
3 years ago
A survey of independent retailers and industry experts across the UK
Read moreSustainability: Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Convenience Stores
3 years ago
A survey of independent retailers and industry experts across the UK
Read moreAdding Value in the Cost-of-Living Crisis
3 years ago
A survey of independent retailers and industry experts across the UK
Read moreHome Delivery: what is driving growth?
4 years ago
A survey of independent retailers and industry experts across the UK
Read moreWhat independent retailers want from suppliers
5 years ago
Preparing for post-pandemic preferences.
Read moreThe perfect launch
5 years ago
For the past year, independent convenience retailers have been one of the chosen few places where shoppers can physically go and get excited about food and drink.
Read moreInvesting beyond lockdown
5 years ago
The Independent Retailer Owners Forum (IROF) is a closed group of top store owners that represent 1,500 unaffiliated independent and symbol stores from the UK and Ireland.
Read morePreventing fires in convenience stores
5 years ago
Fire disproportionally affects independent convenience stores in comparison to other retailers, due to them benefiting from less support than the multiples.
Read more