Scotland was the only region showing notable growth in Talysis’ Convenience Q1 2026 report, with value sales up +1.3% YoY over 52 weeks, while most regions experienced slight declines.
While the UK convenience sector stabilised in the first quarter of 2026, most regions remained flat, challenged by the ongoing threats of inflation, regulatory change and shifts in shopping habits. The specialist convenience insight agency noted that Scotland’s standout performance may reflect differences in category mix or regional shopping behaviour.
Earlier this year, Talysis’s report on Convenience 2025 (A review of the year in UK convenience) revealed that the convenience channel was down 1.7% overall yoy, with the rate of decline worsening to -2.5% in the final four weeks of the year, to 4 January 2026. Talysis’s latest report shows that short-term growth has returned, with value sales up +0.3% over the last 4 weeks (to 20 April 2026), following an improvement in Q1 to -0.2% versus last year. Medium and long-term trends remain negative however, with value sales for the previous 52-week and 12-week periods showing declines of -0.5% and -0.6% respectively.
Shoppers are opting for larger pack sizes and sharing options, which they perceive to be better value, notes Talysis. The trend is especially apparent within the confectionery category where countlines plummeted -8.4% in volume during Q1 2026 vs the same period last year, despite value growth of +4.5%. At the same time, large bag formats increased by +9.6% in both value and volume terms, boosting their value share of the market by 1.5% in the process. It’s an even more dramatic picture in crisps & snacks, where sharing has now overtaken impulse in value sales within this category. This has been driven in Q1 by value growth of +10.2% in sharing sales versus a decline of -0.8% in impulse.
The two strongest performing categories in Q1 (data to w/e 28 March 2026) were revealed to be soft drinks and alcohol, delivering both volume and value increases. The Q1 sales growth in soft drinks (+6.1% value and +1.6% volume) was once again predominantly driven by energy drinks. This sub-category has shown its resilience to consumer spending pressures and is now worth more than carbonates and water combined, according to Talysis. Within the alcohol category in Q1, value was up +5.6% and volume increased by +4.1%. Whilst this was helped by the continued momentum of RTDs, growth across all sub-categories contributed positively towards the increase in alcohol sales. And whilst cider sales still grew during Q1, up +4.4% value and +5.5% volume, as predicted by Talysis, RTDs overtook cider during this period, with impressive YoY increases of +33.9% value and +24.9% volume.
The report also analysed how fuel price increases were impacting the forecourt sector and stated that this had not yet impacted on shopper behaviour, with the number of shoppers making an additional in-store purchase – such as drinks or snacks – remaining largely unchanged and basket spend also holding steady. At present, shoppers appear to be absorbing the impact at the pump without cutting back in-store, claimed the firm.
The Convenience Q1 2026 report also delves into the continued impact of the disposable vape ban and observes areas of growth within smoking alternatives arena.
Ed Roberts, MD of Talysis Ltd, said:
“The convenience market is still facing challenges, despite short-term stabilisation. While there are some more positive signs recently, the overall performance is still weak and potentially masked by price inflation rather than real growth. Nevertheless, our advice still stands: maintaining focus on customer missions, high growth categories, agile implementation, and clarity in pricing are critical to future success. Some of the major growth categories are ideally suited to the convenience sector and retailers should grab every opportunity to capitalise on these shopping trends.
“Our Convenience Q1 2026 report provides the most wide-ranging and insightful look into a hugely important part of the UK grocery market, based on accurate, robust and up to date information.”
