News

The latest figures from the Association of Convenience Stores have shown an increase in investment over the last quarter, but concerns about the impact of rising employment costs.

Convenience stores across the UK invested £193m in their businesses between March and May, which is an increase on both the previous quarter (£154m) and the same quarter in 2016 (£181m).

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has reacted to the Queen’s Speech, calling on the Government to ensure that changes to the energy market include both domestic and non domestic consumers.

During the speech, the Queen stated that the Government ‘will ensure fairer markets for consumers, this will include bringing forward measures to help tackle unfair practices in the energy market to help reduce energy bills.’

Small Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses. Some of the successes from last year’s campaign include:

The Royal Mint have launched a new survey looking for feedback from the convenience sector about  the recent launch of the new £1 coin and arrangements for the co-circulation period, when both the old £1 coin and new £1 coin are in circulation, scheduled to finish on October 18th.

Camelot has announced a new, comprehensive package of support specifically designed for all of its 28,000 independent National Lottery retailers. The ‘ALLSTARS’ programme aims to help independent outlets make the most of The National Lottery in their store – to help boost retailers’ bottom lines and build on the £36 billion that they have helped Camelot to raise for Good Causes since 1994.

The General Election has resulted in a hung parliament, with no party achieving a clear majority.

The Conservatives have emerged as the largest party, but have not gained the requisite 326 seats to form a majority Government.

With all 650 seats declared, the Conservative party have won 318 seats with Labour following on 262. The SNP have 35 seats, Liberal Democrats 12, DUP 10 and 13 others.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that she would form a Government with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party.

Independent retailer John Stevenson has hosted store visits from his Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) in advance of the General Election.

PPC Dr Paul Johnson attended from the Labour Party as well as Liberal Democrat candidate Drew Durning.

John used the visit to discuss the impact of the business rates revaluation, retail crime and employment costs on his petrol forecourt store.

Independent Londis retailer Kamlesh Patel has hosted store visits from his Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) ahead of the General Election.

PPC Stephen Timms attended from the Labour Party, as well as PPC Kirsty Finlayson from the Conservative Party.

Kamlesh used the visit to discuss issues including the impact of retail crime, business rates, the National Living Wage and Deposit Return Schemes.

Independent Spar retailer Sarah Davies has hosted a visit from Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) Simon Baynes ahead of next week’s General Election.

Sarah Davies has operated The Cross Stores in Glyn Ceiriog for over 11 years. Her rural shop is the only convenience store in the local community and provides local grocery delivery services and an expanded food to go offer.

Senior representatives from three major political parties have reaffirmed their commitment to reforming the rates system to support small businesses.

The hustings debate, organised by ACS and the Federation of Small Businesses, featured Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (Labour), Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke (Conservative) and Baroness Kramer (Liberal Democrats) being questioned on their plans to support small businesses through economic incentives.