Retailers need to offer a wider range of products if they want greater success with their business, according to a report from YouGov’s business intelligence

service SixthSense.

Researchers found that 60% of main grocery shoppers used local shops at least once a week. But only 23% were happy to pay more for convenience, and the report added that limited product availablity was "restricting further success of convenience stores". Only 26% of respondents stated they could usually get what they wanted in c-stores, and only a third were happy with the choice of products offered.

James McCoy, research director for YouGov SixthSense, said: "As smaller stores fight against the major supermarket chains it is vital that retailers understand who their customers are and their purchasing motivations. Local stores have every opportunity to capture a share of secondary shopping spend, they just need to really understand what shoppers actually want."

Milk, bread and newspapers were the most commonly bought items in local stores, and the Co-operative was the most widely used local store brand with 24% of respondents using the store at least once a week. This was followed by Tesco Express, Spar and Sainsbury’s Local.