TWC Group has released new nationally representative consumer insight highlighting a significant shift in how UK shoppers define convenience and what they expect from their local independent stores.
For decades, the strength of the convenience sector has centred on proximity: close to home, easy to access, and quick to shop. But as supermarkets have invested heavily in online grocery and rapid delivery, consumer expectations have evolved. Ordering from a phone and having products come to the customer is now embedded behaviour for millions of households.
TWC’s latest YouGov research, conducted on 20 August 2026, reveals that 28% of UK adults would definitely or probably consider using an online ordering and home delivery service if offered by a local independent convenience store. This represents a substantial potential customer base and reflects the growing number of independents already trialling or operating delivery solutions.
While the findings do not suggest that every independent retailer must immediately adopt online delivery, they do raise important strategic questions for the sector. Delivery costs, margins, technology, range and operational complexity all need careful consideration. But the broader trend is clear: consumers increasingly expect convenience to include both proximity and delivery.
As the definition of convenience continues to evolve, TWC Group will be reporting on how convenience retail, foodservice and delivery channels are performing through Channel Track, the UK’s first continuous market read for wholesale. Powered by billions of debit and credit card transactions from 10.2 million consumers across 225,000 outlets, Channel Track provides unrivalled visibility of channel performance.
TWC will share further insight at the upcoming Channel Track webinar on Tuesday 8 September at 9am, where the team will present the latest data trends across convenience, foodservice and delivery.
For more information contact hello@twcgroup.net.
