Scottish government continues to help c-stores stock healthy local produce

The Go Local initiative will see at least 21 grants paid to convenience store operators, allowing increased sales of fresh, healthy, locally sourced products to customers.

The £190,000 fund will be used to develop retail space in stores and the appointment of a dedicated specialist to maximise consumer choice and available display space.

The Go Local programme, administered by the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF), has been continued after an evaluation of the pilot phase showed the success of the initiative had far exceeded expectations.

A study found stores participating in the Go Local initiative each added an average of 30 square meters of added space, allowing a 34% increase in the number of local products stocked.

Outlets who took part in the project also saw a 40% increase in sales of local produce, while it is estimated additional local economic benefits were in excess of £157,000 per store.

Industry leadership organisation, Scotland Food & Drink, will also assist the project with local sourcing support.

Rural Affairs cabinet secretary, Mairi Gougeon, said: “A diverse and successful convenience store sector is ideally placed to give customers the greater choice of locally-produced, healthy produce they are looking for, while at the same time helping to achieve our net-zero targets by reducing food miles.

“These grants and the specialist expertise on offer underlines our commitment to supporting this important sector and I would not only urge store operators to apply for funding, but for customers to continue supporting their local shops.”

SGF chief executive, Pete Cheema, added: “The sector has punched above its weight during these difficult times and the fact is it local shops who have made the difference.

“The results we have seen already have been impressive with a clear local multiplier effect, which benefits retailers and Scottish manufacturers, while demonstrating that convenience stores can also play a crucial role in the recovery and regrowth of Scotland’s food and drink industry.