News

ACS has announced a packed line-up of MPs, industry experts and senior retailers to speak at this year’s ACS Crime Seminar, taking place on 17 March at Methodist Central Hall, London.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Retail crime is one of the biggest operational challenges convenience retailers face. The Crime Seminar provide retailers with the opportunity to hear from industry experts, crime policy champions and share best practice with other retailers to discover new ways to reduce crime in their store”.

Confirmed speakers at the Crime Seminar include:

If you sell alcohol to another business you may need to apply to register for the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS). This scheme was introduced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to tackle alcohol fraud.

If you only sell alcohol to the general public and not to other businesses you won’t need to apply.

Plans to devolve Sunday trading regulations to local authorities have been condemned by the Association of Convenience Stores as damaging to high streets.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Food Standard Agency’s consultation on its initial impact assessment of mandatory displays of food hygiene ratings in England, raising concerns about the additional administrative burdens that mandatory food hygiene displays will have on retailers.

ACS is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2016 Technology Showcase, taking place at the Millbank Media Centre in London on February 11^th.

The Technology Showcase allows retailers to discover the most exciting advances on the market, and also offer ideas to implement in their own store from a range of companies offering innovative solutions for the convenience sector.

The following companies have been shortlisted to present on the day:

ACS is thrilled to welcome Diana Hunter, CEO of Conviviality Retail, to the stage at ACS Summit 16. Conviviality Retail is the UK’s largest franchised off licence and convenience chain, operating 624 stores across the UK.

Diana will be sharing her views on the sector from a higher management perspective, and her experience in positions such as Head of Merchandising, Director of Store Development, and Convenience Director. Before joining Conviviality in 2013, Diana held various senior roles at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and the John Lewis Partnership.

Government have confirmed that they intend to press ahead with devolution of Sunday trading, despite widespread opposition from MPs on both sides of the House.

During the second reading debate of the Enterprise Bill this afternoon (Tuesday), Business Minister Sajid Javid announced that plans to deregulate Sunday Trading hours will be added to the Bill during Committee Stage.

ACS and the IGD are encouraging convenience retailers to speak to students about the brilliant careers available in the food retail sector.  Store owners and executives from larger convenience chains and symbol groups can take part in the Schools Programme as part of IGD’s Feeding Britain’s Future initiative.  Over the past year over 1,000 volunteers from across the food industry have visited 200 schools, speaking to over 5,000 students.

ACS is pleased to announce that Debbie Robinson, Managing Director of SPAR (UK) will feature as one of the headline speakers at Summit16 on April 19^th.

SPAR, which started as a single Dutch store in 1932, is now the world’s largest food retail chain, with 12,322 stores in 34 countries and a turnover of £3bn+. The SPAR brand is proud to operate in their communities as a symbol group, allowing retailers to remain independent while serving under a global brand.

ACS is delighted to announce that retail technology solutions company StrongPoint has reinforced its commitment to convenience retailing in the UK, by becoming part of the Association of Convenience Stores’ Club package.