Two-thirds of UK shoppers are worried about the cleanliness of their local c-stores, according to new research by product intelligence platform Vypr.
The survey - prompted by recent news that dozens of supermarkets have failed basic hygiene inspections - asked 1,900 consumers what they thought about cleanliness standards in their local c-stores and supermarkets.
It found that only one in ten consumers believe c-stores maintain higher standards of cleanliness than supermarkets.
Meanwhile, 21% of respondents said they had changed which c-store they visit due to the lack of cleanliness.
When asked which areas caused the most concern in c-stores, just over half (51%) said basket and trolleys - where available - as the least clean aspect.
The fresh produce section followed with 18%, while 11% said the newspapers and magazines area.
This was similar to supermarkets, 44% reported baskets and trolleys as the least clean aspect in store, followed by self-service tills (18%) and the fresh produce section (11%).
When asked whether they clean their basket or trolley on arrival, low numbers claimed they do, with 35% and 31% respectively.
Of those who do not clean them, around three in ten said it was simply because no cleaning products were available.
Almost two-thirds of consumers (64%) said they often see open packs of food, while just over half of consumers (53%) claimed to worry about retailers selling out-of-date food.
Ben Davies, founder of Vypr, said: “What’s interesting about our research is that most consumers clearly trust stores to be delivering high standards of hygiene.
“Our insight shows there could be quick wins for convenience that will help strengthen customer loyalty and build a better reputation for cleanliness. For example, during Covid, stores large and small introduced self-cleaning stations for baskets and trolleys and bringing this back will reassure many shoppers.”
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