News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on retailers to share their experiences of retail crime over the last 12 months in the 2021 Crime Survey.

The survey examines the impact that crime has on the convenience sector, looking at how crime is affecting retailers, the number of incidents experienced and how much crime has cost businesses over the last year. The survey also considers the causes of these crimes and the measures retailers have in place to prevent crime in their stores.

ACS has welcomed proposed action from HMRC to tackle tobacco duty evasion, highlighting the impact that the illicit trade has on legitimate retailers.

The 12 week consultation, published today, is considering a range of measures to tackle the illicit tobacco trade, including:

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ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Treasury to ensure that alcohol duties are not determined by what kind of business the product is sold from.

The HM Treasury call for evidence on the alcohol duty system has been issued in response to the UK’s exit from the EU, and seeks views on a number of options to simplify and improve the current alcohol duty system, including:

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ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of virtual awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.

The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on the following dates:

ACS has welcomed the freezing of the business rates multiplier in 2021/22, and has called on the Government to act soon to announce further details of business rate reliefs available to businesses next year. 

ACS has welcomed the Government’s announcement on 2021 wage rates as a measure that will help retailers keep more colleagues employed.

In today’s Spending Review, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed that the Government have accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations in full for wage increases in 2021. From April 2021, the National Living Wage rate will rise to £8.91 per hour, a 2.2% increase on current rates. The National Living Wage will also apply for all staff aged 23 and over (currently aged 25 and over).

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a HM Treasury call for evidence, calling on the Government to take urgent action to secure long-term access to cash.

In its submission, ACS makes a number of key recommendations, including:

Taking place virtually on 25th 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.

The following companies have been shortlisted: