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Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business. Yet poor credit access puts the brakes on many independent retail Buyers, leaving them with an unfair cashflow disadvantage compared to large corporate buyers and chain stores.

Access to credit is such a major problem that in 2020 almost 10% of all SMEs in the European Union cited access to finance as the most important problem facing their business in the past six months.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to an inquiry into jobs, growth and productivity after the pandemic, calling for the Government to ensure that support for local shops is extended beyond the pandemic to enable recovery and growth in the convenience sector.

The inquiry was launched by the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee to examine how the Government can reduce and mitigate damage to the labour market and how to improve productivity to support economic growth after the pandemic.

Taking place virtually on 25th May, 2 - 4pm, ACS’ Responsible Retailing Forum will explore two big strategic policy issues:

• new regulations on high fat, salt sugar products
• the introduction of new environmental regulations such as deposit return schemes and extended producer responsibility

The Forum will be chaired by ACS chief executive James Lowman and split into two main sessions:

Environment

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging local shops to promote their acceptance of cash through the ‘Cash Friendly Pledge’.

Launched today (13th May) by Which?, the ‘Cash-Friendly Pledge’ is a public commitment from retailers which sends the clear message to customers that they can continue to use cash as a payment method in their store.

Today (11th May) the Queen outlined the Government’s priorities for the new parliamentary session at the State Opening of Parliament. The Queen’s Speech formally sets out Government legislation and parliamentary priorities, with this year focused on national recovery from the pandemic.

ACS has welcomed the publication of the Tackling Loneliness Network Action Plan, highlighting the positive role that local shops play in tackling loneliness in communities.

Taking place virtually on 25th May, 2 - 4pm, ACS’ Responsible Retailing Forum will explore two big strategic policy issues:

• new regulations on high fat, salt sugar products
• the introduction of new environmental regulations such as deposit return schemes and extended producer responsibility

The Forum will be chaired by ACS chief executive James Lowman and split into two main sessions:

Environment

ACS has welcomed the long-awaited extension of plastic bag charging to all businesses from 21 May, which will provide consistency for consumers and further opportunity for retailers to raise money for good causes.

From 21^st May in England, the minimum charge for plastic bags will increase from 5p to 10p per bag, and will be applicable to all businesses regardless of size. The plastic bag charge is already applicable to all businesses in Scotland and Wales.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is pleased to announce that the Raj Aggarwal Trophy will be launched on Thursday 6^th May.

Applications are welcome from any convenience store operator, independent retailers and managers of multiple-owned outlets.

To enter, applicants must submit a short film (maximum of 5 minutes), which will show:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on retailers to respond to 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: