Return Of High Street: Bounce Back Starts On Your Doorstep As Lockdown Spokes Local Spending

61 per cent spending to help local communities bounce back

Local loyalty driven by lockdown; bounce in spending in butchers, bakers and green grocers

One third discovered new local shops and suppliers in lockdown

One in three are more likely to say hello to neighbours

Brussels, Belgium, 6th July 2020: Butchers, bakers and green grocers are amongst those who have had the biggest bounce since lockdown, with the mini boom expected to continue according to research by Mastercard.

61 per cent of post-lockdown shoppers say they are actively trying to spend money in their local communities to help independent stores bounce back, with one in three (34 per cent) saying they have discovered new shops in their community since the beginning of lockdown. Almost two in three (65 per cent) say they intend to continue shopping local, even when all restrictions on shopping and travel have been lifted.

Three in five (59 per cent) say the last few months have made them more aware of those in need, with almost half (47 per cent) saying they feel a greater sense of community. Across Europe one in three (35 per cent) are more likely to say hello to their neighbours and 32 per cent say they have got to know those running local shops by name.

40 per cent say they have missed their local pub, with a further 40 per cent saying they will eat and drink locally more in the future to help them recover. One in five (21 per cent) said they enjoyed a ‘takeaway pint’ in their local pub once temporary doors were opened.

Other independent shops expected to see a post-Lockdown bounce include hairdressers and barbers, with 47 per cent holding out for their local hairdresser rather than attempting family, friend or DIY haircut from home. There has also been a resurgence in the traditional milk float, with 20 per cent of people saying they have had milk delivered during lockdown – and 18 per cent intending to retain the service.

Mark Barnett, President, Europe at Mastercard said: “The times we are in have changed how we are shopping and as well as big jumps in online and contactless spending, people are also turning to trusted staples of the local community. Local shops and communities have a major role to play in providing good and services and powering the bounce back of economies, but they also play an integral and broader role supporting local people and fostering community spirit. This tough time across Europe will hopefully now see a local loyalty build, and remain, as life after lockdowns return to normal.”

TOP TEN LOCAL SHOPS EXPECTING A POST-LOCKDOWN BOUNCE

  1. Bakeries
  2. Greengrocers
  3. Butchers
  4. Local restaurants
  5. Barbers / hairdressers
  6. DIY / hardware stores
  7. Local cafes & artisan coffee shops
  8. Independent clothes shops
  9. Cheesemongers
  10. Local pubs

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