Convenience stores are at the heart of communities in every constituency across the UK. ACS' 2025 Community Barometer provides insight on the businesses that are the most valued and most essential in their communities, showing that convenience stores and the services that they provide, such as Post Offices and pharmacy counters, are incredibly important to local people.
Community Barometer 2025: Most Essential Businesses
The Association of Convenience Stores has put together resources to help you support the local shops in your constituency in three key areas - tackling crime, responsible retailing, and making everyone welcome in store. More information and links to download the resources are below, these are intended to be shared with businesses in your constituency on social media and in your newsletters and updates to constituents.
Tackling Retail Crime
87% of people working convenience stores have been verbally abused.
6.2 million incidents of shop theft recorded in the last year.
Please share our crime prevention guidance and #ShopKind campaign materials with your local shops. The communications pack includes:
- Template social media posts
- Sample text for your newsletter
- #ShopKind assets and crime prevention guidance
Download the Tackling Retail Crime Comms Pack
Responsible Retailing Resources
Challenging people who may be underage is one of the top triggers for abuse in local shops.
Please share our preventing underage sales guide and Challenge 25 campaign materials with your local shops.
The communications pack includes:
- Template social media posts
- Sample text for your newsletter
- Challenge 25 awareness materials
- Best-practice on preventing underage sales (vapes, alcohol)
Download the Responsible Retailing Comms Pack
Everyone Welcome Guide
69% of local shops have wheelchair access, and 24% of local shops provide hearing aid loops
Please share our interactive poster generator that enables local shops to demonstrate the services they offer to ensure all customers are welcome through the provision of wheelchair access, defibrillators, sign language interpreters etc.
The communications pack includes:
- Template social media posts
- Sample text for your newsletter
- Generator your poster tool
Download the Everyone Welcome Comms Pack
Further Information
Full Campaign pack with all material
Full Community Barometer Report
Contact Us: Daniel Askew, ACS Public Affairs Manager
Mobile: 07513 715536
Email: [email protected]
Available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
