农村零售的未来

“The Government welcomes Plunkett UK’s‘The Future of Rural Retail’ report andrecognises its valuable contribution inoffering practical solutions to support ruralretailers and strengthen local communities.We are committed to supporting Plunkett UKto take forward its recommendations andensure a sustainable future for rural retailers.” Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Securityand Rural Affairs at DEFRA Contents 3An introduction from Plunkett CEO, James Alcock4About Plunkett UK5Foreword and insights from ‘The Future of Rural Retail’taskforce co-chairs The report 7A changing scene9Time to give up?10Facing the future11The four scales:RangePropositionServicesImpact24The three key considerations27How can Plunkett help our members?28Strength in numbers An introduction from Plunkett CEO, James Alcock We are committed to supporting ourcommunity shop members to bring to lifethe solutions we believe lie within the pagesof this report. So, to all community shopcommittees, staff and volunteer teams alike,we invite you to read the report and reflect onthe shape and direction of your own businessin the years ahead. Let’s keep the conversationgoing on how we can ensure the future of ruralretail for generations to come. The origins of this report were inspired byPlunkett’s member businesses and reflectgrowing concerns raised by community-owned shops about the challenges they facein accessing core products from large nationalwholesalers. These supply challenges comealongside increasing cost pressures andever-changing consumer behaviours, all ofwhich mean rural retailers need to evolve,innovate and adapt more than ever. Plunkettrecognised the need to act to find long-termsolutions for our members and help securethe future of rural retail. The rural retail sector was discussed anddissected in detail, with many participantsputting forward a range of practical solutionsand offers of support to help ensure the futureviability of the sector. The taskforce meeting was followed by a seriesof UK-wide in-person and online roadshowevents attended by over 80 community-ownedshops. These events shared insights from thetaskforce and tested the appetite to adapt andinnovate the community-owned convenienceshop format in line with wider community needsand emerging consumer trends. The feedbackwas overwhelmingly receptive to change andidentified a number of measures and supportthat would be needed to support shops withthis transition. James Alcock We knew that genuine solutions would befound in partnership and collaboration,so we called together a taskforce consistingof organisations and experts from a spectrumof rural and retail sectors and met at DitchleyPark, Oxfordshire in October 2024. Many hoursof discussion were brilliantly co-chairedby two incredible experts in their fields –Mary Portas OBE – a retail consultant andbroadcaster, known for her retail-relatedtelevision shows, and well-documentedreview into the future of Britain’s high streets;and the Earl of Devon, Charles Courtenay– a lifelong advocate for rural issues and achampion of the social economy. This unique report is written by Plunkett’svery own Membership Manager, Laura Olver.Laura brings a distinct perspective on thistopic as a long-term Director and volunteerat a community-owned shop, and havinghad a previous career in retail and purchasing.It is written in her own voice from a communityshop perspective and for a communityshop audience. About Plunkett UK We are a national charity with a visionfor resilient, thriving and inclusive ruralcommunities. We achieve this by supportingpeople throughout the UK to set up and run awide range of community-owned businessessuch as village shops and pubs, woodlands,farms and fisheries. We represent over800 such businesses – all of which aregenuinely owned by members of their localcommunities, whereby members have equaland democratic control. Our mission is to ensure these businessescreate innovative, impactful and inclusivespaces benefiting everyone in the communitiesthey serve. Foreword and insightsfrom ‘The Future of RuralRetail’ taskforce co-chairs ‘A social support network that is irreplaceable’ It has been a privilege to co-chair and to be awitness to the tireless work of the rural retailtaskforce. The taskforce has been ably andenergetically convened by Plunkett UK, whichwas able to gather leading individuals andbusinesses from across the sector to addressthe considerable challenges currently facedby the rural retail sector and to debate andpropose solutions. The rural retail sector provides essentialfood, services and social value tocommunities across the United Kingdom. Many iconic and yet isolated settlementscould not function without their rural retailhubs; they provide essential services and asocial support network that is irreplaceable.Over recent years the headwinds of thepandemic, inflationary pressure, commercialcompetition, and unsympathetic local andnational policies have buffeted rural retail inways