News

Retailers and wholesalers have written to HMRC calling for answers over concerns about ongoing problems with requirements under the track and trace regulations to scan and record the movement and sale of tobacco.

The letter, written by the Association of Convenience Stores and the Federation of Wholesale Distributors to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, highlights serious concerns over range of issues that remain unaddressed with the introduction of track and trace rules for tobacco products. 

The new chair and vice chair of ACS officially take on their roles from today. Central England Co-operative Chief Executive Debbie Robinson is the new chair, with independent retailer Paul Stone taking on the role of vice chair.

Debbie Robinson takes 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 welcomed a series of recommendations from the Treasury Select Committee on the future of business rates. 

The Treasury Select Committee launched the Impact of business rates on business inquiry in February this year to assess how business rates policy has changed, including business rates retention, alternatives to property-based taxes, such as the proposed digital services tax, and how changes to business rates could impact businesses.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed findings of research conducted by the Food Research Collaboration (FRC) on engaging convenience retailers with healthy foods.

The Food Research Collaboration is an initiative of the Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London which looks to improve the UK food system.

Yesterday (29^th October) MPs voted in favour of an early General Election to be held on 12^th December.

The Early Parliamentary General Election legislation will now pass through the House of Lords and is not expected to be opposed. Once the legislation passes, Parliament will dissolve on 6^th December to begin a five-week campaign up to polling day.

Retailers may want to consider hosting a store visit with the candidates in their constituency, to raise the issues that affect their colleagues and the day to day running of their business.

Fireworks are popular with consumers in the lead up to events such as Bonfire Night (5^th November). The sale of fireworks is a highly regulated area and it is vital that convenience retailers ensure that they are aware of the rules and guidelines that apply to the sale and storage of these products.

Retailers must apply for permission to store fireworks from their local trading standards service or fire authority. If permission to store fireworks is granted, then fireworks can be sold within the following dates:

Convenience retailers and MPs from around the UK have come together at the annual Association of Convenience Stores Heart of the Community Reception to celebrate the role of apprentices in the convenience sector.

Speaking at the reception, Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP recognised the importance of convenience stores to local communities, especially in rural and isolated areas where the interaction between colleagues in stores and their customers plays an important role in reducing loneliness.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on Ministers and MPs to ensure that plans to introduce a deposit return scheme in England and Wales are workable for small shops.  

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a call for evidence from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help inform the National Food Strategy, highlighting the crucial role that convenience stores play in providing food to their local communities.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a Citizens Advice report and renewed calls for Ofgem to protect microbusinesses.

The report from Citizens Advice found that microbusinesses have few protections when buying energy services and experience issues with debt and contract issues caused by minority of third party intermediaries (TPIs).