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ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is welcoming the inclusion of additional products to the Healthy Start scheme in England and Wales from October.

Healthy Start is a government initiative which provides pregnant women and parents with young children, who are in receipt of qualifying benefits, Healthy Start vouchers which can be used to purchase certain products in store.

The items currently in the scope of the scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland include: fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, cow’s milk and infant formula suitable for use from birth.

ACS  has welcomed additional details confirmed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) today on the new requirements for colleagues to wear a face covering.

From today (24^th September), face coverings must be worn by colleagues as well as customers in shops. A key exemption for colleagues however is detailed in the below guidance:

Since the start of the Covid crisis my colleagues and I at ACS have not just been working to help members to deal with the immediate challenges they’ve been facing, we’ve also been leading a discussion about what we can all learn from this experience. Which of the behaviours we’ve seen over this period will last, which are specific to this time? What would we do differently if we had our time again or if the same issues emerged again?

Entries are now open for ACS’ Innovation Showcase, taking place virtually on 25^th November.

ACS’ Innovation Showcase is the unique chance for retailers and suppliers to come together to explore the latest products and services set to transform the sector.

Suppliers can enter for a chance to demonstrate their product to a group of the UK’s leading convenience retailers.

Book your place at the convenience and local shop sector’s pre-eminent political event, the ACS Heart of the Community conference!

This year’s conference will take place virtually on 13th October, bringing together convenience retailers, industry experts and senior policy makers to explore how the latest political agenda and legacy of Covid-19 will impact convenience store businesses now and into the future.