This week, new measures to tighten the laws around the sale of knives and corrosive substances have come into force. The measures have been introduced as part of the Government’s efforts to tackle youth violence under the Beating Crime Plan.

The Department of Health and Social Care have today (6^th April) published detailed guidance to accompany the upcoming HFSS (high fat, salt and sugar) regulations that are set to come into force this October.

ACS has highlighted its guidance for retailers on upcoming calorie labelling regulations, coming into force from today (Wednesday April 6th). 

The new rules, which primarily affect the out-of-home sector, require retailers in scope to add calorie and portion information to menus and displays of products like ready to eat pizzas, hot beverages, bakery items and PPDS (pre-packed for direct sale) foods. Retailers are also required to clearly display a notice highlighting the number of calories recommended for an adult in a day.

Book your place at our biggest event of the year, Summit22 - taking place at the Vox in Birmingham on 26th April.

This year’s conference will explore how convenience stores are separating themselves from the competition right now, as well as looking ahead to the future at what the sector could look like in 2030.

Confirmed speakers include:

The Bank of England will be withdrawing legal tender status of the paper £20 and £50 notes after 30 September 2022, and we are encouraging anyone who has these at home to spend or deposit them at their bank or Post Office.

Book your place at ACS’ Technology Showcase, taking place as a virtual event on 10th May.

The Technology Showcase provides a unique opportunity for retailers to find out about new technology solutions that have either been recently launched or will be launched in the future by suppliers. To book your place at the Showcase, click here.

Official figures from the Home Office published today (30^th March) have again shown the link between the Covid-19 pandemic and crimes committed against wholesalers and retailers. 

The Home Office data showed that nearly half (46%) of retailers perceived an increase in levels of violence and assault between April 2020 and March 2021. These findings closely align with ACS' 2022 Crime Report that estimated 35,000 violent incidents in convenience stores in the last 12 months.

Key findings of the Commercial Victimisation Survey include:

Book your place at ACS’ biggest annual conference, taking place at the Vox in Birmingham on 26th April.

This year’s conference will explore how convenience stores are separating themselves from the competition right now and look ahead to the future at what the sector could look like in 2030.

Throughout the conference, we will also be exploring the idea of wellbeing with Music Psychotherapist Rebekah Duncalfe of Meraki Creative Therapies, looking at what wellbeing means, how you can support the wellbeing of others and how this applies to the convenience sector.

DEFRA has published its response to consultations on reforms to the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, announcing that glass will not be in scope of the planned Deposit Return Scheme in England and Northern Ireland.

From today (28th March) face coverings are no longer legally required to be worn in shops or on public transport in Wales. Face-coverings are still legally required in health and social care settings and it is ‘strongly advised’ that they are worn in crowded areas.

In addition to the change in rules for face coverings, it is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid in Wales. People who test positive and those with symptoms are still strongly advised to self-isolate, but it is no longer a legal requirement.