Public ranks community pharmacies as most essential local service – again!
“Post Offices, pharmacies and convenience stores have made up the top three services to make a positive impact in communities since the ACS’ annual ‘Community Barometer’ began a decade ago”
A poll by the Association of Convenience Stores, June 2025, ranks pharmacies as the number one most essential service for local people – for the fifth year in a row.
Post Offices, pharmacies and convenience stores have made up the top three services to make a positive impact in communities since the ACS’ annual ‘Community Barometer’ began a decade ago.
The importance of these three services is not necessarily just down to the services provided – but also for the “consultative and trusted status they have in the community”, says the report. When people need to talk to someone they trust, “they tend to gravitate towards these services”.
A previous ACS noted that pharmacies became more important than ever before during the pandemic and have held on to that standing with local people.
Other outlets in the ACS poll include coffee shops, restaurants, banks, pubs and petrol stations.
