December 2020

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has warned that restrictions on where some food products can be sited within a minority of convenience stores in England will have a significant impact on more than one in five of England’s local shops. The Department for Health & Social Care has today (Monday 28 December) published its response to a consultation on restricting placement of certain high fat, salt and sugar products at in store entrances, the end of aisles and at tills, as well as banning mechanisms like “buy one get one free” deals

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers to beware of counterfeit alcohol during the Christmas period after indications of counterfeit goods entering into the UK market.

There have been instances of independent retailers being targeted with counterfeit products and we are reminding retailers to only work with Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme (AWRS) registered wholesalers and to take seriously any complaints regarding the difference in the expected taste, smell or look of a product.

Entries are now open for ACS’ Technology Showcase, taking place virtually on 10^th February 2021.

ACS’ Technology Showcase provides retailers and suppliers with the chance to come together and explore the latest advancements in technology designed to help enhance customer experience and streamline the day to day running of stores.

Suppliers can enter for a chance to demonstrate their product to a group of the UK’s leading convenience retailers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of virtual awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.

The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on the following dates:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Welsh Government that business rates in Wales will be frozen for 2021/22.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans MS confirmed today (15th December) that businesses rates in Wales will not be subject to an inflationary increase in 2021-22. It is estimated that the freeze will support around 54,000 ratepayers across Wales, who are not already receiving 100% rates relief.