News

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.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed MPs on the impact of the introduction of the National Living Wage ahead of a delegated legislation committee debate on the topic today (Monday).

ACS is delighted to announce our 2016 line-up of events for retailers and suppliers. Our events are designed to engage and inform our members on everything that’s happening in the convenience sector.

The Welsh Assembly has pledged £20,000 towards getting four new Welsh Community Alcohol Partnerships off the ground in 2016 in recognition of the hugely successful Brecon CAP, which achieved a 39.5% reduction in alcohol-related youth anti-social behaviour.

Investment levels in the convenience store sector have recovered slightly over the last three months after a shock fall in the summer, while concern among retailers about employment costs has led to a widening gap in optimism between sales and staff hours for the year ahead.

ACS has welcomed the announcement of a Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the Government’s proposals to devolve rate setting powers to local authorities.

The Inquiry will examine the Government’s proposals to allow local authorities to retain 100 per cent of the full stock of business rates by 2020, to cut business rates, and for directly elected mayors to add a premium to business rates to pay for new infrastructure projects.

In the coming weeks, many consumers will be purchasing fireworks in the run up to the New Year celebrations. Convenience retailers, with permission from their local authority, are able to sell fireworks, however there are a number of compliance rules that must be followed.

As retailers prepare for Christmas, ACS is urging retailers to ensure that they are aware of products that have age restrictions on them.

All fireworks carry an age restriction, the vast majority of adult fireworks and sparklers cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 18. Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns carry an age restriction of 16. ACS recommends that you adopt the ‘Challenge 25’ policy when selling fireworks.

Freedom Music: UK convenience sector wasting more than £10m a year in music fees

The following information has been provided by ACS Club supplier Freedom Music.

Data gathered by in-store music experts, FreedomMusic, reveals that UK convenience stores are spending over £10 million a year, in PRS and PPL tariffs playing licensed music to their staff and customers in their stores.