Starting your own corner shop means joining one of the UK’s most iconic and thriving sectors. The corner shop has been a staple of communities for generations, and it continues to grow, even as other parts of the economy struggle with significant headwinds.
Over the past year, there has been a reported £1 billion in investment in corner shops. Most of it continues to come from independent brands, even as supermarkets invest in their own expansion efforts. At Cogogo, we offer the latest nationwide listings of corner shops for sale, providing you with a reliable platform to uncover prime business opportunities in the convenience store trade.
Discussing Buying a Corner Shop With Cogogo
Why invest in a corner shop?
Investing in a corner shop might not be the most glamorous way to go into business, but it’s highly resilient and fulfils a need that resists wider economic issues. It’s a tried-and-tested model that continues to stand the test of time, even as the world continually changes.
So, why should you consider investing in a corner shop?
- Built-In Customer Base – Through proximity alone, most corner shops enjoy high footfall, with a highly loyal customer base. This reduces your overall risk compared to other types of businesses.
- Resilience – Convenience alone means most people are likely to head to their local shop rather than travel to a supermarket for their bits and bobs.
- Adaptation – There’s no shortage of ways for convenience stores to adapt to the latest trends. Whether it’s stocking trendy products like Dubai Chocolate or Prime Energy drinks, or offering ready-made hot foods, corner shops find it easy to pivot to their customers’ needs.
- Proven Performance – The reality is that corner shops are a proven model that delivers time and time again. Is there a guarantee of success? Of course not, but it’s a proven model that makes it ideal for first-time entrepreneurs and those relying on obtaining external financing.
Today, there are more than 50,000 corner shops operating across the country. While some areas are heavily saturated, there’s no shortage of locations where starting a shop or buying an existing one can be profitable.
Finding corner shops for sale online
Finding corner shops for sale online isn’t as straightforward as you might think. There’s no dedicated website specifically for buying corner shops. That’s why you need to think outside the box and consider multiple channels for sourcing potential business opportunities.
Some of your options for finding these types of firms on the open market include:
- Online marketplaces, including Cogogo.
- Business brokers.
- Online directories.
- Social media.
- SEO and other direct marketing strategies.
Why use a business broker to buy a corner shop?
Business brokers are professionals specialising in helping you find an ideal company to buy. Working with a broker unlocks benefits you wouldn’t get when trying to take charge of the search process alone, including:
- Access to off-market listings.
- Expert valuation services.
- Save time on your search.
- Full confidentiality throughout the process.
- Expert market insights.
You don’t always need a broker to buy a convenience store in the UK. Still, if this is your initial foray into the industry or you’re running an existing business, it can make sense to turn to one of these professionals.
