News

Today (23^rd June) Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the next stage of changes to the lockdown measures in England.

During the announcement, Johnson confirmed that people should continue to aim to keep two metres apart but where this is not possible they should keep to one metre plus other mitigations such as use of face coverings, sitting side by side rather than face to face to reduce risk of transmission and frequent use of hand sanitiser.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has hosted a roundtable with retailers and representatives from the Low Pay Commission to discuss the impact of the National Living Wage (NLW) on convenience stores.  

During the roundtable, retailers discussed their experiences with Low Pay Commissioners Neil Carberry and Kay Carberry, highlighting their concerns about the impact of Covid-19 related operating costs to their business, including PPE for colleagues, in-store signage and temporary recruitment of colleagues.

More speakers have been announced for ACS’ Power, Mobility and Convenience virtual conference, taking place on 1^st July 2020.

This morning session will provide the opportunity for delegates to hear from expert speakers as they discuss the issues currently affecting forecourt retailers and some issues that they may face in the future. 

Speakers confirmed include:

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow MP confirmed that introduction of new legislation banning the sale of plastic drinking straws, plastic-stemmed cotton buds and plastic stirrers was delayed because of the coronavirus. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a letter from Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Paul Scully MP which highlights the vital and positive role that the retail sector has played during the coronavirus crisis.

In the letter, Paul Scully MP says: “I would like to echo the comments made by the Business Secretary in his letter of 8 April thanking retail workers who have continued to work in our shops, online and supply chains throughout this challenging period. 

Content suppled bu Shield Safety Group: 

Shield Safety Group is a leading Food Safety, Fire Safety and Health & Safety consultancy. Our services are delivered by the UK’s largest team of degree qualified Environmental Health Practitioners, supported by award-winning software and app specifically designed for food and food retail businesses. We are trusted by some of the world’s leading brands including Tesco, Stars Pubs & Bars and Interstate Hotel Management to meet their compliance requirements.

Ribena is bringing a ray of sunshine to chillers with the launch of a brand new drink – Ribena Raspberry Rays. The thirst-quenching new flavour, rich in Vitamin C, is ideal for shoppers looking for a burst of summer sunshine from their soft drink.

The new launch is sure to be a hit. In consumer testing, 70% of shoppers said that they would purchase a raspberry flavoured Ribena, and in taste tests, Raspberry Rays scored as Ribena’s best tasting liquid ever.

Book your place at ACS’ Power, Mobility and Convenience virtual conference, taking place on 1^st July 2020.

This morning session will provide the opportunity for delegates to hear from expert speakers as they discuss the issues currently affecting forecourt retailers and some issues that they may face in the future. 

Speakers confirmed so far include:

Content supplied by CCEP:

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has reduced the recommended price points for its range of price-marked packs (PMPs) across its colas portfolio.

1.75l bottles of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar – including the popular cherry and vanilla-flavoured variants – and Diet Coke are now available in a £1.75 PMP, and 1.5l bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Cherry are now available in a £1.95 PMP, enabling retailers to take advantage of the growing trend towards consumption within the home.

Few issues divide the retail industry and fire up an emotional response like Sunday trading.

Some see any restrictions on trading hours as fundamentally at odds with a free market, others think it’s outrageous that we allow any retailing at all on a Sunday.

I respect both of those views, but I find myself aligned – personally and on behalf of the convenience stores I represent – with the majority of the public who, time after time, tell us that they support the current compromise of allowing six consecutive opening hours on a Sunday.