June 2023

The outside of a convenience store with parking spaces outside with four parked vehicles

ACS Welcomes Progress Toward Targeted Food Hygiene Enforcement

ACS has welcomed proposals from the Food Standards Agency on modernising food hygiene enforcement activity, highlighting the importance of Assured Advice as a mark of a responsible business.

 The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is consulting on ways to ensure that enforcement resources are focused on the businesses that pose the greatest risk to consumers, as well as updating their processes to give more flexibility for officers to monitor the rating and risk of businesses.

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Image showing polymer £5, £10, £20 and £50 banknotes with King Charles III on them

Retailers Urged to Prepare for the Introduction of King Charles III Banknotes

Retailers are being urged to prepare for the introduction of the King Charles III banknotes which are due to enter circulation by mid-2024.

The King’s portrait will appear on all four of our polymer banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50) and the new banknotes can be checked in the same way as the polymer notes featuring Queen Elizabeth II. There are no plans to withdraw the banknotes featuring Queen Elizabeth II, meaning the two designs will co-circulate.

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A cartoon image of a convenience store which shows aisles of products and then a shopworker arranging products on a shelf.

Welsh Government Announces Plans for HFSS Restrictions

The Welsh Government has announced plans to introduce restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products in an effort to tackle obesity in Wales.

Announced today (27th June) the Welsh Government confirmed plans to introduce restrictions on temporary price reductions of HFSS products, including meal deal type offers and restrictions on where products high in fat, salt or sugar can be displayed.

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Book Your Place at ACS’ 2023 Local Shop Report Launch!

Book Your Place at ACS’ 2023 Local Shop Report Launch!

Book your place at the launch of ACS’ 2023 Local Shop Report, taking place online on 14th September.

This virtual launch event will give you the chance to have a first look at the findings of our 2023 Local Shop Report and to be a part of the discussion as we explore the data in detail and discuss what the information means in real terms.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

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ACS Highlights Detrimental Impact of the Illicit Trade on Communities

ACS Highlights Detrimental Impact of the Illicit Trade on Communities

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the publication of a report from HM Revenue and Customs on the prevalence of non-duty paid alcohol and illicit tobacco in the UK, calling for tougher enforcement and continued focus on tackling the illicit trade.

According to HM Revenue and Customs, the tobacco tax gap driven by the illicit market in cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco is estimated to be £2.8 billion in 2021-22. Of this, £2.2 billion was lost in tobacco duties and a further £0.6 billion in VAT.

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Local Shops Call for New ‘Most Wanted’ List of Thieves as Shop Theft Reaches New Record High

Local Shops Call for New ‘Most Wanted’ List of Thieves as Shop Theft Reaches New Record High

The body representing UK’s 48,000 convenience stores has called on police forces to introduce a ‘Most Wanted’ list for prolific shop thieves as part of new plans to tackle repeat offending.

The call comes as figures from the Association of Convenience Stores’ annual Crime Report, published today (22nd June), show that their theft index* has reached new record levels. The record was previously broken last quarter after standing for over 10 years. 

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ACS Reminds Retailers About Guidance on Selling Vapes Responsibly

ACS Reminds Retailers About Guidance on Selling Vapes Responsibly

ACS is reminding retailers about its industry leading guide on selling vaping products responsibly, including information on retailers' responsibilities when it comes to recycling.

All retailers selling vapes must provide an option for customers who buy the product to dispose of their old vapes. Retailers have two options for offering recycling services to customers for vapes, which depends on the total annual value of the sales you make of electrical and electronic equipment in your business. 

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HFSS Promotional Restrictions set to be Delayed Until October 2025

HFSS Promotional Restrictions set to be Delayed Until October 2025

The promotional restrictions on HFSS (high fat, salt, sugar) products that were due to come into force in October this year are set to be delayed until October 2025.

The restrictions on volume promotions in England will affect any convenience store business with more than 50 employees. Promotions affected include:

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