June 2021

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling for a cautious approach to increasing the National Living Wage (NLW) and other statutory minimum wage rates in 2022/23 to allow the labour market and economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Informed by ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021, ACS’ submission recommends that the Low Pay Commission (LPC) should consider extending the timetable for NLW reaching two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, which is currently projected to be £10.33.

Findings from ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021 show that:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is urging retailers to ensure that they are prepared for the introduction of the new polymer £50 and are aware of its security features.

The polymer £50 note contains advanced security features, including:

ACS’ Virtual Study Tour is now available on the member portal!

The Virtual Study Tour is an opportunity to be shown around a diverse range of stores across the country followed by a discussion and Q&A session with the retailers to hear about their business. 

The June 2021 Study Tour featured three fantastic retailers talking about their stores with the ACS team, followed by a panel session discussing what they learned about each others' businesses, and what both retailers and suppliers can take away from the tour. 

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that mandatory calorie labelling will be introduced for large businesses in the out-of-home food and drink sector.  

DHSC have responded to its consultation on requiring businesses in the out-of-home sector (any outlet where food and drink is prepared for immediate consumption by the person who buys it) to include mandatory calorie labelling, announcing that the measures will be introduced for businesses with more than 250 employees.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Government on the launch of a new watchdog which aims to protect workers’ rights in the UK.

At present, responsibility for tackling modern slavery, enforcing the minimum wage and protecting agency workers is currently spread across three separate bodies.

The introduction of the new watchdog will see the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Enforcement combined to create a single enforcement body.