Sainsbury's trials microstores for customers in a hurry

Growing market for convenience store

Currently, Sainsbury’s has about 750 smaller convenience stores, but they are still about 3 times as large as the new formula. The microstores will only have a product range of some 1,000 products, like bread, salads, sushi, meat and ready-made dishes.  Everything is focused on a quick bite, which means things like cleaning equipment will not be found in these stores.

The first microstore only recently opened its doors, but the next two will soon follow. Sainsbury’s hopes this formula will catch onto the changing consumer behaviour, as they are frequenting convenience stores more often nowadays. The Institute of Grocery Distribution believes sales in these convenience stores will increase 17 % over the next 5 years, while major stores will experience a 2.9 % sales drop.

Sainsbury’s also tries to follow the trend in the major stores as well: several branches, like the bakery and take-away food, have placed at the front in 6 stores. This gives customers a chance to use this part as a convenience store, without having to race across the store if they are in a hurry.