November 2014

ACS Launches New Guidance to Tackle Retail Crime

Two new guidance documents have been launched today by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to support retailers and police in the fight against crime.

Launched as part of the Home Office’s Crime Prevention Panel, the guidance is aimed at the prevention of fuel theft and issues surrounding the operation of self scan tills.

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Guidance on the Sale of Men's Lifestyle Magazines

ACS has published a guide for convenience retailers on how to display men's lifestyle magazines. The Guide is designed to assist retailers in understanding best practice and how to comply with the longstanding industry code of practice. The guidance has been published as part of ACS' on-going commitment to deliver on the Prime Minister's challenge to reduce the exposure of children to sexualised imagery.

The Periodical Publishers Association has published a code of practice on the sale of these titles. The guidelines are available below, along with the ACS guide in full.

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Sunder Sandher Talks Rates in Store with Local MP

Award winning independent retailer, Sunder Sandher, has met local MP, Chris White, in his store to discuss some of the key issues that have been affecting his business ahead of the election in May.

Sunder talked to Chris White MP about the savings that he had recently made on his business rates by going through the Rates Bill line by line and making sure it matched up with his store. Through attention to detail alone, Sunder reclaimed over £4,000 in overpaid business rates.

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Book Your Place at Summit 15

ACS is challenging retailers to find and share the best ideas in convenience stores from around the globe as part of a host of changes to the industry leading Summit conference, taking place in Birmingham on April 21st 2015.

This year, the Summit programme for 2015 will be split in to three inspiring sections, ‘The Big Download’, ‘The Master Plan’ and ‘The Ideas Studio’.

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ACS Talks to BBC Newsnight about Strength of Convenience Sector

ACS appeared on BBC Newsnight last night to discuss changing consumer habits and trends toward more convenience shopping.

In response to a report published on Monday by Goldman Sachs, which was critical of the number of supermarkets in operation, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman was joined by journalist and broadcaster Harry Wallop in a discussion with presenter Evan Davis about the growth of the convenience sector and online retailing.

 

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Crimestoppers and ACS Offer Reward for Information on Watford Retailer Murder

Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) are offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the location, arrest and conviction of Michael McInerney

The 32-year-old, of no fixed abode, was arrested in connection with the murder of shop owner Arulchelvam Prasanna last year but failed to answer bail and is still on the run from police.

Father-of-one Mr Prasanna, from Watford, was found with severe head injuries in a Costco car park in Hartspring Lane, Bushey, Watford, at 2.45pm on May 26, 2013.

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Retailers Urged to Prepare for Display Ban Implementation

ACS is urging retailers to be prepared for the implementation of the tobacco display ban.

In April 2015, stores under 3000 sq ft will have to cover their tobacco displays. Larger stores have been subject to the display ban legislation since 2012.

When the display rule comes in, smokers will continue to be able to buy their cigarettes and tobacco exactly as they do now, and the new rules will not limit availability.

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James' Blog: Tackling Duty Fraud through Licensing Law

Two alcohol policy issues close to ACS’ heart are duty fraud and licensing law, and I think these are more closely linked than you might think.  Once in a while, we hear that alcohol harm is linked to the growth in the number of off licences, with responsible and irresponsible retailers lumped in together when their impact on the areas where they trade could not be more different.

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Great British High Street Competition Winners Announced

The national Great British High Street competition, launched by the Future High Street Forum, celebrates the achievements of local people in making their high streets great places to live, work and shop.

The winners were selected across a range of categories for their ability to innovate, collaborate and adapt to changing consumer habits.

Judges visited 21 shortlisted areas and the winners are:

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