Shoppers flock to farm retailers as sales hit £1.4bn

Farm shops have proved to be invaluable throughout the pandemic with 89 per cent of farm retailers reporting an increase in sales since 2019.

The fresh findings were revealed at the annual Farm Retail Association Conference after it undertook its biggest research project to date, along with Shropshire's Harper Adams University.

Researchers from the university’s recently created food, land and agri-business management department carried out the study, which aimed to understand the impact farm shops have on their local communities, farmers and suppliers as well as the wider economy and the UK’s rural landscape. The study found that there are an estimated 1,581 farm retailers nationally, employing 25,000 people, with sales totalling £1.4 billion. Some 64 per cent of farm shops expect sales to increase further in 2022 and a third of all farm shops have opened in the last 10 years.

Other findings showed that customers are attracted to shopping with farm retailers because of their quality of products, customer service and the farm setting.

Although like many industries, the greatest challenge facing farm retailers is attracting talent or skilled staff.

Funded by the Farm Retail Association, the research was conducted by three academics at Harper Adams University and revealed for the first time at the FRA conference.

Harper Adams senior lecturer in food retail and marketing, Alastair Boot, said: “We believe this is the first substantial survey of its kind into farm retail. It establishes the growth of the sector and its enormous value to local economies.

"It is clear that farm shops offer a different experience to high street shopping through the quality of their produce and their standard of service – and that this difference is increasingly appreciated by customers.”

New FRA chairman Rupert Evans said: “This was the biggest research project that the FRA has ever undertaken and the results show the vital part that farm retailers play in the community as well as on a national scale.

"Collectively we are generating more than £1.4 billion in sales which is absolutely staggering and a testament to the passion and integrity of farm retailers.”