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Heart of the Community Seminar

Tue, 02 Nov 2010

The Heart of the Community seminar is the flagship event for ACS Local Shop Campaigners (LSCs). The seminar aims to provide owners of convenience stores the opportunity to get face-to-face with politicians to highlight the concerns and issues affecting the convenience sector.

The third annual Heart of the Community Seminar takes place on Tuesday 2nd November at the Imperial War Museum in London.

This event is unique to the convenience industry and gives retailers a rare chance to get face-to-face with Ministers and MPs. It is a must attend event for all politically minded retailers. To book your free place at this event please contact Edward Woodall on 01252 515001.

If you would like to attend please contact Sarah C Johnson on 01252 515001, or email sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk.

Crime Prevention Forum

Wed, 13 Oct 2010

After the success of the last Crime Prevention Forum in February, ACS are pleased to announce that there will be a second Forum this year on October 13th.

As with all ACS Forums there will be a mixture of speakers from both inside and outside the industry; retailer presentations and supplier presentations.

Presenters for the last Crime Prevention Forum included:

• Magistrates Association - who discussed their work and the review into out of court penalties.
• Home Office - on their work on Commercial Victimisation
• Business Crime Reduction Partnership – on the joined up approach to tackling crime in Manchester city centre
• Greater Manchester Police – on how the police deal with business crime
• Total – on the work they do to tackle crime on their forecourts.

Speakers for the October forum will be announced in due course.

NACS Study Tour

Mon, 04 Oct 2010

This year's ACS Study Tour to the NACS Show in Atlaanta will provide unmissale international insight into the convenience sector. Features of the 2010 Tour include the following:

Hotel Accomodation
NACS Show Registration
General Opening Session with guest speaker Stew Lenard Jr.
Workshop sessions featuring international presenters
Retail Study Tours in Atlanta on Tuesday 5th October
Atlanta Dinner
The NACS Show
The NACS Exhibition
Global Convenience Achievement Award

The NACS Show is all about providing you and your team with proven ideas and strategies that promote growth, attract customers, build your brand and improve your bottom line.

The NACS Show was again named the top trade show in the United States for "buying power" and second overall for buying plans according to the latest annual report on US trade shows developed by Exhibit Surveys, Inc.

This year's show will feature President George W. Bush as Closing Speaker.

For more information on the NACS Show, click here

Terms and Conditions

For cancellations made prior to the 1st September, there is no cancellation fee. After this time no refund will be given. There will be no refunds for registrants who do not attend the event.

Cancellations can only be accepted or email. Cancellation can be by email to sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk and will be valid for the relevant refund/credit so long as you have written acknowledgement.

Smarter Business Forum

Tue, 28 Sep 2010

The Smarter Business Forum is an opportunity for retailers to find out have to run their business more effectively. There will be speakers discussing how to protect yourself from unfair energy contracts, ensure you are paying the correct business rates, how to reclaim money from PPL and how to reduce energy consumption.

A full agenda for the day will be available shortly.

Forecourt Seminar

Tue, 06 Jul 2010

ACS have put together a day long, conference-style seminar specifically aimed at tackling issues related to forecourt retailing. We will be bringing together experts from within and outside of the industry, covering subjects such as forecourt licensing; consumer trends; best practise in ‘green’ retailing; news and magazines on the forecourt; and the future of the tobacco category.

The seminar will take place at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester on July 6th 2010.

The agenda for the day is below.

Chairman Scott Annan from SRCG will give an overview of the day’s speakers and set out the key themes of the days discussion.

Richard Box from JTI will provide a perspective on why forecourts retain their position at the very forefront innovation in the convenience industry

There is no more experienced industry analyst than Arthur Renshaw from Experian Catalyst, he will give a brief and insightful overview of the latest trends in the sale of fuel and convenience retailing on the forecourt.

Mike Green from him! will give an overview of the Forecourt shopper, using their latest research.

David Pitron from BPwill give an overview of BP, differentiation of stores and inclusion of M&S and food to go offer

Dennis Reid from RPS Global will give a perspective on the non-fuel side of forecourt retailing and specifically in what can be done to drive sales in this type of self-serve environment

Providing a food to go offer is part of the DNA of a strong forecourt convenience offer Cuisine de France, who will share their knowledge of how forecourt convenience retailers that get it right can reap the rewards.

Patrick Sewell from the Sewell Group will explain how his company recruit retail and manage their staff, and give some insights into how they have achieved their multi award winning status.

Nerys Mai-Jones from TotalUK will explain how she manages compliance with the range of laws affecting the sale of age restricted products on the forecourt across the hundreds of sites and thousands of staff working in the Total company managed business.

David Charman Chairman of the Car Wash Association will give an update on the work to improve standards and create a level playing field in the car wash industry

Brian Madderson Chairman of RMI Petrol will update the forum on the latest developments in the ongoing dispute over the rating of petrol forecourts and offer insights for individual operators involved in local disputes.

To book your place or to find out more contact ACS on 01252 515001 or email sarah.johnson@acs.org.uk.

ACS Going Local Event

Fri, 18 Jun 2010

ACS are hosting a ‘Going Local’ event in Luton on Friday 18th June, specifically for those retailers operating within Luton or nearby areas. Attendance is free to all.

Retailers can expect to hear from the ACS team who will be discussing the current issues affecting convenience store owners, upcoming ACS event and the new features to the advice package. Joining the ACS will be the local police, who will also be presenting on licensing and crime within Luton.

Kishor Patel, an ACS ambassador, will be one of four retailers sitting in an open panel about the business challenges they have faced and how they have benefitted from being a member of ACS.

If you would be interested in attending or simply want more information then please contact Amy Searle, Commercial Executive, on 01252 533002 or amy.searle@acs.org.uk.

Summit 10

Wed, 05 May 2010

Summit is ACS’ flagship event and the biggest and best event of its kind in the convenience sector.
In 2009 Summit attracted over 400 delegates representing retailers and suppliers from across the industry and we expect even greater numbers this year. High calibre keynote speakers including; Tim Smit from the Eden Project, Tim Hurrell from The Cooperative Group and Michael O'Loughlin from Petrogas will present on the key themes of the Vision, Creativity, Risk and Determination, backed up with the voice of the independent retailer in the form of video case studies, featuring Independent Retailers Kishor Patel, Paul Cheema, Dee Patel, David Sands, Conrad Davies, and Mike Duffy. Chair for the day will be Angela Rippon.

For more information on Summit, click here

Convenience Retailing Show

Sun, 21 Mar 2010

CRS is the event for the convenience sector, with the biggest gathering of retailers and suppliers in the convenience industry.

CRS is free to attend, simply go to the CRS website to register.

CRS is the place to meet all suppliers in the convenience industry, from symbol groups to sandwich and snack suppliers. From refrigeration companies to greetings card companies.

NEW 2010 - The Off Licence Show is co-located with CRS and has top brands in the drinks market, including; Diageo, Fosters EMEA and Global Brands.

If you are a convenience store, CTN, supermarket, symbol group, independent retailer, cash & carry, wholesaler, multiple, off licence, coffee bar, sandwich shop, forecourt retailer, you need to be at CRS to:

• Develop relationships with suppliers

• Find out what's going on in your industry

• Source new products

• Learn from other retailers

If you an independent retailer, visit the ACS stand and take advantage of the free advice available from our professional experts. Chat face to face with professional legal, licensing, energy, and property & planning experts throughout the show.

You can also take advantage of our discounted membership if you sign up during the show - check out the CRS voucher book for further details.

Visit the CRS website at www.convenienceshow.co.uk

Better Regulation Workshop

Tue, 16 Mar 2010

ACS has organized an event for members to meet with Minister for Retail Ian Lucas MP and senior officials to discuss the burden of red tape on your business. This event will be a practical and highly relevant discussion on the different areas of red tape that are a burden to your work. The outcomes of the workshop will feed directly into the Governments work to reform and reduce regulation on business.

We would encourage you to attend and come ready to explain how red tape affects you whether it be health and safety regulations, licensing, packaging waste or food hygiene to name but a few.

Your support for this event would be very helpful in showing Government how important our industry is and help us to get real change that will benefit our business.

Responsible Retailing Forum

Wed, 10 Mar 2010

The c-store sector faces constant challenges in the area of retailing responsibly.

Members can expect to receive advice on issues affecting the sector, including regular updates from the Portman Group, local authorities and licensing experts.

The ACS Public Affairs team will also keep members up-to-date on political issues and likely legislation.