ACS has called on the Welsh Government to support local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need.

At an evidence session taking place as part of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee held today (26^th May) in the Welsh Parliament, ACS has highlighted the measures that the Welsh Government can take to support small businesses during the cost of living crisis and wider recovery from the pandemic.

Today (25th May) during an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Future of Retail, ACS has highlighted the security, sustainability and flexibility of local employment in the convenience sector. 

The evidence session, chaired by Liz Twist MP, heard from James Lowman (ACS chief executive), Cliff Lee (Retail Trust head of wellbeing), Neil Duffy (Retail Trust commercial and services director), Helen Barker (EVRi head of public affairs) and Chris Morris (USDAW deputy head of research and policy).

I was on the TV over the weekend being interviewed about the cost of living crisis and the link to shop theft. The narrative is seductively simple: people are struggling to feed their families so are stealing food and essentials from shops to do this. There’s just one problem: this isn’t what’s happening.

ACS is reminding retailers about the resources available to help them prepare for the upcoming HFSS regulations.

ACS has published a new comprehensive set of frequently asked questions on the details of the upcoming HFSS (high, fat, salt, sugar) regulations, covering everything from queueing areas and island units, to the status of the regulations in other UK nations. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the Government’s consultation on the development of an online sales tax (OST), calling on the Government to reduce business rates for retail properties.

ACS has published a new comprehensive set of frequently asked questions on the details of the upcoming HFSS (high, fat, salt, sugar) regulations, covering everything from queueing areas and island units, to the status of the regulations in other UK nations. 

Today, (19^th May), new #ShopKind Champions from across the retail industry, policing community, Government and Parliament have been announced. 

#ShopKind Champions have been nominated to spread the message of the #ShopKind campaign; encourage positive behaviours in shops, acknowledge the important role of shopworkers and raise the profile of the problem of violence and abuse against shopworkers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Government confirming plans to introduce legislation to address cash access issues at both a national and local level.

Today (19th May) the Government has announced that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will be granted new powers to ensure that cash withdrawal and deposit facilities are available in communities across the country.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched new comprehensive guide for retailers on how to provide excellent customer service for all customers including the millions of customers with disabilities and different needs.

Launched today (18^th May), the Everyone Welcome Guide provides advice for retailers both in terms of how stores can be adapted and how colleagues can provide a welcoming environment for all customers.

ACS has developed guidance to help retailers with the sale and supply of e-cigarettes and other vaping products.

The guide covers the regulations that govern the sale and supply of e-cigarettes, retailers’ responsibilities when selling these products, how to ensure that packaging and labelling are compliant with the regulations, and advice on how to ensure that underage sales do not take place.