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.

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.

The Office for National Statistics have released its annual figures on shoplifting, revealing the highest volume of shop theft since the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in 2003.

The figures show that there were over 9,000 more incidents of shop theft in the year ending September 2015 when compared with the previous year. While most offences recorded by the NCRS have seen steady decline, shop theft has slowly risen over recent years.

GroceryAid has opened up applications for apprentices looking for extra financial support while undertaking a grocery industry apprenticeship.

GroceryAid aims to support a number of apprentices by offering up to £520p/a. This can be used to help with costs such as living expenses, accommodation, travel expenses, study material and equipment. The offer is valid for up to four years, dependent on proof of continuation of the apprenticeship programme.

The Welsh Cross Party Small Shops Group, Chaired by Janet Finch-Suanders AM, met in the Welsh Assembly today (Wednesday) to co-ordinate a new economic development group on high streets in Wales.

The group, which includes representatives from the Association of Convenience Stores, the Federation of Small Businesses and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, will develop new guidance to support the high street growth and sustainability.