News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a survey conducted by the charity, Action on Sugar, by highlighting the range of soft drink products available in convenience stores and encouraging retailers to work with communities and young people around energy drinks. The survey looked at the nutritional labels of 197 drinks found in supermarkets and online, with one product said to contain 10 teaspoons of sugar per 250ml.

ACS hosted its second Technology Showcase on 25th February at the Imperial War Museum in London. The event saw a host of technology experts exhibit their innovative convenience concepts to a room full of the most influential people in the convenience sector.

Seven companies showcased their products on the day, explaining how they can help them to increase profits, drive footfall or save money.

A shortlist of Britain's Best Small Shops have descended on Parliament today see who has been crowned the overall best small shop in the UK.

Simon Danczuk MP, Chairman of the All Party Small Shops Group, revealing the winner, said: "I am pleased to announced that the Hunters Of Helmsley, a deli in North Yorkshire, is the Winner of the Best Small Shop Competition 2015. Hunters of Helmsley was chosen by the judges for its local sourcing of produce, organisation of events to support their high street and their use of social media to engage customers."

ACS is calling on retailers to provide their views on staff training and the issues that they face when dealing with compliance in store.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will help ACS to understand what training needs members have, and what role ACS can play in meeting these.

The Low Pay Commission, the body which advises the government on minimum wage, has recommended an increase to the current national minimum wage by 3% from £6.50 to £6.70. The increase, if accepted by the government, would come into effect in October 2015.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “With inflation running at 0.5% and many prices in store going down, this cost increase will be another challenge for convenience stores particularly for those trying to take on more staff and grow their business.

ACS is challenging retailers to take part in an exciting new section of their Summit 15 conference on 21st April 2015. The annual event, to be held at the NEC in Birmingham, will showcase hundreds of innovative convenience ideas from all over the world, and ACS is asking its members to send in their own photos to be part of it.

ACS is calling on retailers to take part in the Government’s first ever Community Clear Up Day on Saturday 21^st March. The ‘national spring clean’ will aim to clear the country’s high streets, residential and business areas, villages and parks of litter.

Recent figures suggest councils in England spend more than £800 million every year on street cleaning. Government ministers are encouraging people to make this a fun activity, bringing groups together with a common interest as well as freeing up millions of pounds that can be spent on other vital public services.

ACS has announced a selection of industry experts to speak at the ACS Crime Seminar, including a special message from Lynne Featherstone MP, the Home Office Crime Prevention Minister.  The event will take place on 5th March at Methodist Central Hall, London.

The Crime Seminar will also feature the launch of the ACS Crime Report 2015. The Report brings together the experiences of criminal activity from over 3,500 independent convenience retailers, providing an insight into the impact of crime on convenience stores.

Over 300 Applications from book shops, cycle traders, convenience stores, delis and jewellers have been whittled down to 20 finalists for the Best Small Shops Competition 2015.

Councillor Peter Dowd, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bootle and Leader of Sefton Council, visited Adrian Costain's Nisa store in Bootle recently to hear his concerns about business rates, crime and parking policy.