Convenience stores have retained their footfall despite increased pressure from multiple grocers and discounters, according to HIM’s Convenience Tracking Programme 2013.

Early results from the programme, which is released next month, show that 59% of UK adults visit convenience stores in a typical month, and that stores have maintained basket size, trip spend and visit frequency year-on-year.

More stores are reporting sales increases than falls, as 31% of convenience store managers say weekly transaction numbers are up year-on-year, compared to 16% in decline.

The overall quality of c-stores seems to be improving, as the percentage of shoppers who would recommend their local convenience store to others has increased to 61%.

HIM Insights director Katie Littler said: ““In a very tough year the UK convenience industry has managed to protect their customer base overall.  Despite shoppers telling us they are planning their grocery shopping more, and budgeting, convenience stores are still managing to encourage 14% of shoppers to buy something on impulse too! Utilising mission management, upselling and solution driven promotions have all helped.”

CTP 2013 interviewed over 20,000 convenience shoppers across 30 convenience and forecourt fascias.