ACS has launched a new survey of the people working in the convenience sector, looking into more depth at their career paths, the pressures they face, their other jobs and commitments, and the benefits of working in the convenience sector.
The colleague survey marks the first time that ACS has heard directly from staff as part of its research programme. The aim of the survey is to show the versatility, importance and development opportunities that employment in the convenience sector offers.
HMRC have published a consultation on the costs and benefits of introducing tobacco licensing for all parts of the supply chain including retailers. The Chancellor announced this consultation would take place at his Autumn Financial Statement. The UK Government is a signatory of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and is therefore obliged to explore the extent to which tobacco licensing is appropriate in the tobacco supply chain.
A group of organisations have issued Government with notice to legally challenge their decision to press ahead with proposals to change Sunday trading regulations.
The Government has been issued with a letter before action from the Keep Sunday Special group, setting out plans for a future Judicial Review on the proposals to devolve Sunday trading regulations to local authorities. The letter argues that the Government has not carried out a genuine, unbiased consultation process.
The key elements raised in the letter include:
Mars Chocolate UK has taken the precautionary step of recalling products produced in the Netherlands that possibly contain pieces of plastic. Other products are being recalled in Europe which have not been distributed via the Mars UK distribution route. The UK recall from consumers concerns only the products below, with the stated ‘best before’ dates, which were manufactured in the Netherlands and distributed in the UK.
ACS has branded a report published today by Grant Shapps MP as partial, unconvincing and based on old data that has already been discredited during the government’s consultation on this issue. The report (http://www.shapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Sunday-Trading-for-the-...) argues for extending Sunday trading hours.
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to take advantage of a new platform to allow them to train their staff on Assured Advice.
The platform, which has been developed by online learning company Bolt, will allow any ACS member to sign up to the Assured Advice scheme and benefit from both the assurance of the guides and industry leading training modules for staff members.
Plans to reform Sunday trading will not address the problems of high streets and make the Government the enemy of entrepreneurial businesses.
The Government has finally set out its stall on Sunday trading, releasing its response to the consultation after months of waiting, alongside amendments to the Enterprise Bill designed to give powers to local authorities to set Sunday trading hours as they see fit.
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on Government to outline its plan for meaningful business rates reform and reinstate the Retail Rate Relief scheme as business rates income reaches record levels.
The Department for Communities and Local Government released figures this morning claiming that business rates income has reached £23.5bn, raising an extra £400m compared to a year ago.
ACS will be welcoming Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of London fast food chain Leon to speak at Summit 16 and share his expertise on one of most exciting trends in modern convenience stores: Food-to-go.
With an ever increasing upswing trend in healthy eating, Leon provides consumers a convenient solution for eating nutritious food on the run. Leon currently operates 33 restaurants across the UK.
Tickets are now on sale for the premier event in the convenience sector, ACS Summit16.
This year’s conference, to be held in the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on April 19th 2016 will set out to inspire retailers and suppliers to think differently about the way they do business and provide practical ideas that will make the difference between running a good store and a great one.
