Covid-19 Pandemic and Independent Convenience Stores in the United Kingdom

Maria  Rybaczewska; Łukasz  Sułkowski; Yuriy Bilan

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.32.3.28360

Authors

Maria Rybaczewska University of Stirling, UK; University of Social Sciences, Poland
Łukasz Sułkowski Jagiellonian University, Poland
Yuriy Bilan Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin, Slovakia; Sumy State University, Ukraine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.32.3.28360

Keywords:

Covid-19, pandemic, retail, independent convenience stores sector, the United Kingdom

Abstract

Covid-19 brought the new reality into every-day life, global economy, and various sectors, including independent convenience stores. After the first and during the second wave of Coronavirus in the United Kingdom (mid-November 2020), the overall situation was very dynamic and turbulent. This paper is thus aimed at answering the question how the independent convenience stores sector in the United Kingdom functions in the Covid-19 reality. We analyse such issues as the recession phase in the global economy, and challenges the independent convenience stores sector in the UK faces, including the changing aspects of the consumer shopping behaviour. We identify the changes in the footfall, basket spend, sale, product categories, etc. Finally, we conclude that the convenience store sector in the UK is relatively resistant to Covid-19 pandemic and emphasise the most challenging consumer behaviour aspects in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Author Biographies

Maria Rybaczewska, University of Stirling, UK; University of Social Sciences, Poland

Dr Maria Rybaczewska: academic and business consultant. Cooperating mainly with SMEs, specialising in marketing and retail. Graduated from the International College of Journalism, University of Stirling and Lodz University of Technology. PhD dissertation focused on employer image and purchase decision process of the final buyer was honourably awarded by the Organisation and Management Department of Lodz University of Technology in 2014. Currently employed as a Research Fellow at University of Stirling and cooperating with Clark University Massachusetts and University of Social Sciences in Lodz as an Assistant Professor.

Łukasz Sułkowski, Jagiellonian University, Poland

Prof. Łukasz Sułkowski: Full professor of economic sciences and holds a PhD in Humanities. His research interests include organisation and management, and in particular: critical management studies, epistemology and methodology of social sciences and the humanities, organisational culture and intercultural management, public management and management of family businesses. Currently a professor at the Faculty of Management and Social Communication of the Jagiellonian University, at Clark University and the Chair of the Management Department at the University of Social Sciences in Łódź, Poland. A member of the Presidium of the Polish Accreditation Committee since 2012. Since 2008 – the Editor-in-chief of the quarterly ‘Journal of Intercultural Management’, in 2004-2011 the editor-in-chief of the quarterly ‘Organization and Management’.

Yuriy Bilan, Alexander Dubcek University of Trencin, Slovakia; Sumy State University, Ukraine

Assoc. Prof. Yuriy Bilan. He is the President of Centre of Sociological Research (Poland). Since 2008 – the Editor-in-chief of the quarterly “Journal of International Studies”, Deputy Editor-in-chief of the quarterly “Economics and Sociology”. He was fellower 6 th and 7th FP of EU, Human Resources and Mobility Activity, Marii Curie Action. The areas of scientific interest include, but no limit to labour market economy, migration studies and entrepreneurship, sustainable development.