ACS

ACS is pleased to welcome three new members to its retail membership. HKS Retail Limited and Applegreen, both forecourt retailers, and Newsplus Group, a privately owned convenience group, further strengthen the association and demonstrate their support for the convenience sector. These three new members take the number of stores represented by ACS to over 33,500.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “HKS, Applegreen and Newsplus Group are all great examples of growth and success in the convenience sector. I know they will take an active role in the organization and I look forward to working with each of them. these retailers add their voice to ACS and make us stronger and more effective. ”

Established in 1984, HKS is one of only a few successful independent retailers continually providing a high class standard of service to their customers from Mansfield to Portsmouth.

Shane Thakrar, Head of Business Development at HKS said: "With the growing importance of Convenience Stores on the forecourt and the growth of the independent sector, we feel that ACS is the association of choice. The past success rate of ACS and its achievements show the importance and influence they have, in addition to their well deserved support from retailers across the country."

Applegreen operate 55 sites across Ireland and 13 in the UK. They have grown a successful business through recognizing the potential in underperforming sites and tailoring them to the local community. They have consistently keen fuel prices and are known for their high quality food, coffee to go and shop offer. The first UK Applegreen opened in Enfield a year ago.

Michael O’Loughlin, Applegreen Managing Director, UK said “We are very pleased to have joined the Association of Convenience Stores. Applegreen is a relative newcomer in the UK market and as such we see the range of services and information provided by ACS as extremely helpful in developing and strengthening our business.”

Founded in 2003 Newsplus Group operates convenience stores in 17 towns located within 12 English counties and are listed as a Grocer Magazine Top 50 Independent Retailer.

Newsplus Group Managing Director, Neil McCormick said: “The challenges facing independent retailers have never been so great; traditionally all you had to worry about was your own and competitors business performance, now you have to add the ever increasing complexity of legislation, red tape and the vast number of changes to, and introduction of new laws to that. It is essential that our legislators have a real understanding of how the changes affect real businesses employing real people living real lives. To this end we feel it essential to support ACS through membership in performing this vital task and to add our voice as loudly as we can to the debate.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.