Convenience retail both standalone and associated with petrol apparently brushed aside the concerns of the wider retail marketplace in 2012, according to Christie & Co’s Business Outlook 2013.

While average sales prices for convenience retail businesses fell by a marginal 0.9% across the year, the mood remained cautiously positive, suggested Steve Rodell, director and head of retail at Christie & Co, with stores that fit corporate requirements achieving prices not seen for many years.

"Given the sentiment reported throughout the year high-profile retail failures, the Portas review simply paying lip-service to the high street’s problems and over-rented high street property it may come as a surprise to some that convenience retail has provided some respite to this beleaguered sector," he said.

"However, convenience stores and, particularly, petrol forecourts have demonstrated resilience and an appetite for transaction that serves as a lesson to the wider retail sector. Yet even in these sectors, it would be unwise to suggest we’re out of the woods."

Despite the bullishness at the top end of the market, trading conditions remained tough for independent forecourt operators through 2012 as the supermarkets reaffirmed their commitment to using forecourt operations to attract more grocery shoppers.