The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has taken the opportunity to push home the importance of small stores throughout this year's party conference season.
There were representatives at the three major conferences, and selected MPs led debates at a series of fringe meetings.
At the Lib Dem conference Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, focused on communities being able to properly have their say, while at the Labour gathering, MP for Hartlepool Iain Wright pledged government support for local stores.
The ACS was also represented at the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool this week, where MP for Northampton South Brian Binley spoke at the ACS' third fringe meeting in as many weeks.
ACS public affairs manager Shane Brennan said: "Our fringe meetings were well attended. There was some lively debate and it's clear there are people in the parties who care about local shops. The ACS was keen to use this opportunity to talk to members of each party."
l The association has a new website, www.acs.org.uk.