Press Releases

The 2023 Rural Shop Report has highlighted the crucial contribution that the UK’s 17,720 rural shops make to their communities and the need for targeted support from Government to ensure their long term future.

Launched today (January 24^th), the 2023 Rural Shop Report demonstrates the close links that rural retailers have with their communities, their importance as local employers, and the impact that store closures would have on the provision of groceries in rural and otherwise isolated areas.

Key findings from the 2023 Rural Shop Report include:

ACS has welcomed the Government’s plans to guarantee the strategic placement of return points in its proposed deposit return scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  

The new scheme, which is intended to come into force in October 2025, aims to significantly reduce the number of bottles, cans and other materials in scope being thrown away, with a target of 85% litter reduction in the three years after the scheme is introduced.

ACS (the Association of the Convenience Stores) is calling on the Government to take urgent action to provide Trading Standards with adequate resources to tackle the trade of illegal vaping products in the UK.

A new survey out today (19th January) has highlighted concerns from Trading Standards about the sale of illegal vapes and the sale of any vaping products to under-18s in the UK.

Research conducted in 2022 by ACS of enforcement officers in Trading Standards across the UK has shown that 61% don’t believe they have the resources to tackle the illicit tobacco market.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has dubbed the government’s energy support package for businesses as “inadequate, poorly targeted and ultimately pointless” as local shops and many other businesses face a massive hike in energy costs from April 2023. The government is currently reducing business energy bills by effectively controlling the wholesale price that is the main component of businesses’ energy bills.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched the agenda for its biggest ever annual event, Conference23, on April 25^th next year.

Taking place at the Vox in Birmingham alongside the National Convenience Show, ACS Conference23 is a must-attend event for anyone in the convenience sector looking to grow their business, build valuable relationships, and get exclusive insights on how to prepare for the future.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to think about the practical steps that they can take to help their colleagues and communities feel safer.

Women’s Night Safety Charter

ACS is encouraging convenience retailers to sign up to the Women’s Night Safety Charter. The Charter started as a London initiative, but has since been rolled out in more cities, aiming to help women feel comfortable and confident when walking around at night.

Here are four easy steps that retailers can consider:

The Cross Party Group on Small Shops held a meeting to explore the impact of high fat, salt and sugar restrictions (HFSS) on local shops across Wales.

The meeting was chaired by Vikki Howells MS and attended by a number of members of the Senedd and representatives from independent retail trade associations.

During the meeting, ACS government relations director Edward Woodall explored the impact of the regulations on convenience stores, the difference between the restrictions in England and Wales and the support that local shops need from the Welsh Government.

ACS has welcomed a £460m business rates support package for retailers in Wales over the next two years.

Today (12th December), the Welsh Government has announced a package of business rates support in effect through 2023-24 to help businesses to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and current economic challenges.

The key measures announced include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has written to the new Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP calling for an extension of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for local shops.

In the letter, ACS has highlighted the vital role that convenience stores play in communities across the UK and outlined serious concerns about the impact of energy price increases from April 2023.

The Welsh Government has introduced legislation to ban or restrict the sale and supply of single-use plastics across Wales in an effort to reduce plastic pollution.

The legislation will take effect in autumn 2023 and covers the following single-use plastic items: