News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved in this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week (13^th – 17^th June), highlighting the vital role that local shops play in alleviating loneliness in their communities.

Loneliness Awareness Week is an annual event hosted by Marmalade Trust, aiming to reduce the stigma around loneliness and encourage people to talk more openly about it.

ACS is delighted to announce more details for this year’s Power, Mobility and Convenience Conference.

This year’s conference, taking place online on 5th July from 10:00am, will explore how the UK’s 7,000+ forecourts can adapt and change in the future on the road to Net Zero, as well as looking at new and emerging store formats. With the growth of the electric vehicle market challenging the traditional forecourt model, more retailers are looking to innovate to stay relevant to a demanding modern consumer.

The Welsh Government has today (9^th June) launched two consultations as part of its ambition to tackle obesity in Wales, setting out proposals to restrict HFSS products in stores and introducing a minimum age of sale of 16 for energy drinks.

ACS has responded to the publication of an independent review into smoking in England, raising concerns about the impact of a recommendation to raise the minimum age of sale by one year every year until no-one can legally access tobacco products. ACS has welcomed proposals for more funding to tackle the illicit tobacco market.

Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) has reported significant reductions in children’s drinking and anti-social behaviour in areas where its local partnership schemes operate.

CAP partnerships are made up of retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, who work together to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of young people and improve the communities where they live. There are currently over 250 schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.

ACS is delighted to announce more details for this year’s Power, Mobility and Convenience Conference.

This year’s conference, taking place online on 5th July from 10:00am, will explore how the UK’s 7,000+ forecourts can adapt and change in the future on the road to Net Zero, as well as looking at new and emerging store formats. With the growth of the electric vehicle market challenging the traditional forecourt model, more retailers are looking to innovate to stay relevant to a demanding modern consumer.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved with a campaign which aims to increase awareness of how vital our senses are to living life to the full, especially for people with complex disabilities.

Throughout July, national disability charity Sense is encouraging people to host a Sensational Tea Party – a bake sale/coffee morning with a sensory twist. The aim of these tea parties is to help communities reconnect, create conversation and break down barriers as well as raising vital funds to support people with complex disabilities

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working with BCC Marketing to speak to over 2,000 convenience store retailers as part of our annual Local Shop Report survey.

In its submission to the Labour Market Enforcement Strategy, ACS has highlighted the importance of the 392,000 jobs provided in UK convenience stores and the benefits that those jobs provide to colleagues.

The Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Margaret Beels OBE, has sent a call for evidence for devolving a new Labour Market Enforcement Strategy, for the enforcement of employment rights with a view to protecting workers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on retailers to take part in its annual National Living Wage Survey.

ACS’ National Living Wage Survey will inform ACS’ submission to the Low Pay Commission’s consultation on future wage rates. The consultation is seeking views on: