Abstract
This state of the sector report from the Plunkett Foundation, funded by Power to Change, shows community shops thriving and making a significant contribution to community development. In 2019: 12 new shops opened 372 community shops were trading in the UK by the end of the year The total share capital raised from their communities by newly opening shops was £452,500 from over 2,000 new members Community shops had an average £156,000 p.a. turnover, representing an estimated £58 million annual turnover for the sector 202 community shops offer postal services An estimated 225 full-time and 450 part-time staff were employed within the community shop sector Averaging at around 20 volunteers per shop, the sector has a workforce of approximately 7,000 volunteers The majority of community shops have between 50 and 250 members/shareholders The long-term survival rate of community shops was 92.5%