The Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Treasury ahead of the 2017 Budget, calling on the Chancellor to take action to make the business rates system fairer for retailers.
Data published by the Times newspaper has suggested that online warehouses are set to see their business rates fall as a result of the revaluation, while thousands of convenience stores face an increase in April this year.
You can now book your place at ACS’ Crime Seminar, taking place on 9th March, 9:30am-2pm in London.
The Crime Seminar will feature the launch of the 2017 Crime Report and will hear from industry experts about how to successfully tackle retail crime and safeguard your business, as well as provide networking opportunities for retailers.
Sarah Newton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office will address the seminar via video message. Other speakers, including Home Office officials will be announced shortly.
The upcoming ACS Technology Showcase will exhibit some of the most exciting technology advances on the market.
Taking place at the Tower Hotel in London on the 21st of March, the event will host six companies who will show the audience how their service or product can help convenience retailers make profit and simplify their day-to-day duties.
Following the presentations, there will be a panel of experts, including retailers, who will evaluate and discuss the demonstrations.
ACS is encouraging retailers to sign up for Assured Advice and benefit from industry leading best practice on a range of issues affecting a convenience store business.
All guides have been updated for 2017 and ACS is recommending that retailers look over the new guides for policy changes and any relevant changes they will have to make in-store as a result.
ACS is calling on staff working in convenience stores to complete the 2017 Colleague Survey, with 20 high street vouchers worth £50 each up for grabs in a prize draw for those who complete the survey.
The findings of the Colleague Survey will inform ACS’ engagements with Government and research projects such as the Local Shop Report. The survey will also provide data on staff recruitment and prospects, employment patterns, job satisfaction, and personal commitments.
Tickets are now on sale for the ACS Summit, an unmissable industry event for convenience retailers. The conference will take place in Birmingham on the 25th of April 2017.
Summit17 will bring retailers, suppliers, and industry experts from around the world together to explore the successes and challenges of the industry and discuss new ideas retailers can walk away with.
The Government and Royal Mint are supporting retailers to prepare as the 30-year-old round pound coin is brought out of circulation and replaced with a new 12-sided version. The coin will officially enter circulation on 28 March 2017.
The new pound coin will be the most secure of its kind in the world. This is to combat counterfeiters. There are around 45 million counterfeit £1 coins currently in circulation, generating significant cost to industry and taxpayers.
ACS chief executive James Lowman has given evidence as part of a Public Bill Committee hearing on the Local Government Finance Bill, urging the Government to ensure that plans to allow local authorities to keep 100% of their rates revenue are delivered in a way that promotes growth in all types of business.
