Coca-Cola celebrates and spotlights convenience store owners

For generations, the corner shop has been a familiar presence on Britain’s streets and, in 2025, it is arguably more vital than ever. While the high street has dwindled in recent years, convenience stores have thrived, with over a third (34%) of Brits saying their ‘corner shop’ is an essential resource in their everyday life, according to research by Coca-Cola [Opinium]. 

Enduring importance of convenience retail

According to Coca-Cola’s findings, nearly a quarter of consumers now rely more on their local convenience store than any other retail outlet [Opinium]. On average, people now visit their local convenience store five times a month [Opinium].

To stay relevant to shoppers and differentiate from supermarkets and online retailers, 54% of convenience retailers say they’ve improved their in-store experience, and 36% now offer online delivery [Lumina]. Many are diversifying the services they offer too, including parcel pick-up/drop-off (23%), expanded grocery ranges (17%) and ATM access (15%) [Lumina].

This shift reflects a move toward more personalised, accessible, and ‘local’ retail experiences, reinforcing the enduring value of convenience stores as both practical and community-focused hubs.

125 years of partnership with local retailers

This year marks 125 years since Coca-Cola was first sold in Great Britain, a milestone that underlines the long-standing relationship between the brand and local convenience retailers.

Since Coca-Cola first arrived here in 1899, the convenience channel has been one of its most important routes to market. In the last year alone, the Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) portfolio has delivered more than £317m in sales through the channel [Nielsen].

To mark this 125-year milestone, Coca-Cola has launched a new campaign called ‘The Bosses’, to recognise the importance of convenience stores and their ‘bosses’.

‘The Bosses’ content series

Alongside multi-award-winning director Ross Bolidai and talented Gen Z photographer Serena Brown, Coca-Cola has released new portraits and a docu-series celebrating the most British of all retailers – the local ‘corner shop boss’.

Inspired by the unique character and cultural importance of Britain’s beloved corner shops, the series brings local convenience store owners into the spotlight to celebrate their resilience, personality and pivotal role in community life.

Six entrepreneurial bosses and their families have been immortalised by - Serena Brown, in a gallery of ‘high-fashion’-style photos celebrating their commitment, heritage, know-how and personality.

Meanwhile, director Ross Bolidai produced moving mini-documentaries that follow the family dynamics, personal stories and community spirit felt by convenience store owners, inspiring shoppers to see their local retailer in new ways.

From raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, acting as an unofficial department of the Citizens Advice Bureau and fixing church roofs, to launching Women in Retail groups and running for mayor, the series’ protagonists have proven themselves pillars of the local community.

CCEP is proud to be a local business, with 97% of its products made in GB. With the support of its dedicated team of 750 Field Sales representatives, the company is committed to helping more than 50,000 convenience stores – and the owners behind them – across the country [ACS] adapt, grow, and remain that vital link for the people and communities they serve.

With a legacy spanning 125 years in Great Britain, The Coca-Cola Company is proud to support the local ‘Bosses’ at the heart of our communities – with each boss from the series nominating a local cause to receive a five-figure donation.

‘The Bosses’ portrait series will be featured in OOH/DOOH advertising in and around each store owner’s local community, and will also include social media and national and regional PR.

For more information and to view the content, please visit: https://www.coca-cola.com/gb/en/social/uk-local-stories.