End of road for corner shop?

CORNER shops are in danger of dying out as younger generations increasingly snub their local convenience stores, analysts have warned.

Although elderly shoppers still use them regularly, with 45 per cent of the over-75s going to their neighbourhood supplier at least five times a week, the same is not true of young adults.

Among 18- to 24-year-olds, only 28 per cent go to a convenience store daily, and this is likely to fall to 19 per cent over the next two decades, experts believe.

Young adults are working longer hours and commuting further so do not pop in before or after work, preferring to order items online.

And they favour food outlets where they can sit down to use their smartphones or computers, leading to the rise of coffee and sandwich shops that offer seating and wifi.

Corner shops are also often less technologically advanced, with many charging an additional fee to pay on card, which puts off youngsters.