The 2015 Local Shop Report has revealed the vital contribution that local shops make, both to the UK economy and the consumers who rely on them.
Published today, the report offers new information about the value that local shops provide their communities, as well as key information about the entrepreneurs that run stores, their staff and the market as a whole.
Key findings from the report include:
ACS has urged the government to include small businesses in the upcoming carrier bag charge in England after new figures show the nationwide scheme has reduced usage by 71% in Wales.
The report, released by the Welsh Government, also revealed that since the mandatory 5p charge for all single-use carrier bags was introduced in 2011, 87% of retailers said the charge either had a neutral or positive impact on their business, while 74% of consumers are supportive of the charge.
ACS has responded to a consultation on the introduction of a tobacco retailer register in Wales, opposing the Welsh government’s plans to introduce a national retailer funded tobacco and e-cigarette register.
The proposed register would cost retailers £30 per store and £10 per additional store to register to sell tobacco products.
The spending limit of contactless payment transactions has risen to £30 from today (1st September).
Previously, contactless spending was limited to purchases up to the value of £20 per transaction. Contactless payment allows shoppers to pay for goods or services by tapping their debit or credit card onto a card terminal without having to input their PIN. Contactless payment has become increasingly popular amongst consumers, with contactless spending in the UK increasing by 560% in the last year alone, according to MasterCard.
ACS has called on HMRC to impose stricter sanctions on retailers who are found to be selling illicit tobacco.
ACS chief executive, James Lowman said: “The illicit tobacco market costs the Treasury over £2bn a year. Retailers who sell illicit tobacco have a direct impact on retailers selling legitimate products who, as a result, may be losing out on revenue and custom. We therefore support more stringent sanctions for retailers who are found to be selling illegal, non-duty paid tobacco”.
GroceryAid is offering financial support to those who work in the convenience sector and are currently going through financial hardship.
The charity are accepting applications from individuals or family members who currently work in any part of the grocery industry, including convenience store retailers, who may be eligible for a one-off financial grant.
To be considered, a retailer will need to have worked in the grocery industry for at least five years. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by GroceryAid.
New research released today by the Association of Convenience Stores has revealed how the public, retailers and local councillors feel about their high streets.
The Community Barometer shows that convenience stores and post offices were seen to be the services which had the most positive impact on their local community, with coffee shops, pharmacies and specialist food shops following close behind.
Mark Pawsey MP for Rugby and Bulkington visited the Bulkington Spar last week discuss the impact of Government regulation on local shops. Plastic bag charging, national living wage and Sunday trading were top of the list for the local Spar shop.
Camelot, operator of the National Lottery, will be providing retailers who currently have Scratchcard only terminals the opportunity to sell tickets for National Lottery draw-based games, such as Lotto and EuroMillions, through their current terminals from early next year.
Retailers will be able to sell the expanded range of games through their current Scratchcard terminal with the installation of a small printer and a software upgrade. Camelot will be contacting all Scratchcard only retailers over the coming months with more information about the scheme.
Keep Sunday Special has today launched a campaign to keep the popular Sunday trading laws, which help families, communities and small retailers.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, a wide range of Keep Sunday Special supporters have highlighted how a change to current Sunday shopping hours contravenes the Prime Minister's own family friendly policy agenda launched last year, bows to pressure from large retailers, and would cause confusion with different councils setting different local rules.
