ACS has responded to new figures from the Office for National Statistics’ annual Crime Survey for England and Wales, urging retailers to report incidents of shop theft to the police.
According to the ONS survey, which covers the whole of retail, the number of police recorded shop theft incidents for the year ending June 2019 decreased by 4% to 368,745 offences.
ACS has welcomed the proposed introduction of a new Sentencing Bill in the Queen’s Speech and has called for further measures to tackle the root causes of retail crime.
The Queen’s Speech sets out the Government’s priorities for the coming parliamentary session. Measures announced in this Queen’s Speech include:
ACS has responded to a number of Government consultations on employment regulations, highlighting the security, flexibility and local nature of jobs in the convenience sector.
The Government is currently consulting on the areas of statutory sick pay, one sided flexibility and plans to establish a single enforcement body for employment rights.
ACS has responded to a new report from Professor Dame Sally Davies, highlighting the work that retailers have done to provide healthy options in store.
Recommendations made in the Chief Medical Officer’s report, which is independent from the Government, include:
There is just one week remaining until the Heart of the Community Conference, taking place on Tuesday 15th October.
Heart of the Community is the must-attend political conference exploring the issues relevant to politicians, retailers and consumers.
The conference will bring together retailers from across the convenience sector to; hear the latest from leading experts on the policy issues affecting the sector, network with a diverse range of retailers and meet MPs at an exclusive drinks reception on the House of Commons Terrace.
The 2019 Forecourt Report has revealed the vital role that the UK’s 7,402 forecourt shops play in their local communities, through providing secure local jobs, providing access to essential services and taking time out of the business to support local projects.
More than three quarters (77%) of independent forecourts engaged in some form of community activity over the last year, not just through raising money for charity, but also by sponsoring local teams, being part of litter picks and donating to food banks or other food charities.
The Association of Convenience Stores has announced the appointment of Central England Co-operative Chief Executive Debbie Robinson as its new chair from November, with independent retailer Paul Stone taking on the role of vice chair.
Debbie Robinson will take the place of Sewell Retail Ltd Managing Director Patrick Sewell as chair of the board. Patrick has served as chair since November 2016, and will remain on the ACS board.
ACS has highlighted the serious impact that crime has on colleagues working in the convenience sector at a fringe event during Conservative Party Conference.
The event, Violence against Shopworkers: Breaking the Cycle, was hosted by the Co-Operative Group and looked at how the industry, police and justice system can come together to stop the tide of violence against people working in shops.
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has urged the Government to allow the Low Pay Commission to set wage rates based on evidence rather than political pressure in response to an announcement from the Chancellor today (30th September).
ACS has welcomed the launch of a new initiative from UK Finance which aims to help local communities to identify and secure appropriate access to cash and payment services.
The Community Access to Cash Initiative will provide communities with the opportunity to report gaps in cash provision through their elected officials. The initiative will provide grant support and industry guidance to local communities to improve access to cash and the adoption of alternative solutions where an ATM is not appropriate or required.
