News

The Welsh Government has introduced legislation to ban or restrict the sale and supply of single-use plastics across Wales in an effort to reduce plastic pollution.

The legislation will take effect in autumn 2023 and covers the following single-use plastic items:

Save the date for the launch of the 2023 Rural Shop Report, taking place on 24^th January in Westminster.

The parliamentary reception will provide a comprehensive overview of the findings of the report, looking at rural shops’ economic and social contributions to the rural economy, as well as their investments, services, and the flexible, local employment opportunities they offer.

During the event, we will hear directly from rural retailers about the opportunities and the challenges that they face and the impact of upcoming regulations.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has signed a letter to the Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans alongside a number of business representatives and trade bodies calling for her to freeze the business rate multiplier in the coming financial year.

The letter has been submitted ahead of the Welsh Government’s Budget which is due to take place on 13^th December, which is expected to set the business rate and associated reliefs and thresholds for the 2023-24 financial year.

Taking place on 19th January 2023 in Leicester, ACS’ Forecourt, Power and Convenience conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to hear from leading forecourt retailers and a range of experts from across the industry on the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector.

The conference will look into the latest developments in the sector and explore what this means for forecourt retailing. The event will also feature a virtual tour of an EV site followed by a panel discussion.

Speakers and panellists include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the emotional, financial and practical support that is available through GroceryAid for colleagues and their families.

GroceryAid is a national charity, offering a range of support for colleagues working across the industry, including manufacturing, supermarkets, independents, wholesalers, distribution, sales and all support functions.

ACS has welcomed the launch of Food 7 Cymru, a new group launched today to represent the interests of the food and drink supply chain in Wales.

The group, which includes the Association of Convenience Stores, Farmers Union of Wales, Food and Drink Federation Cymru, Logistics UK, NFU Cymru, UK Hospitality Cymru and Welsh Retail Consortium, has called on the Welsh Government to do more to tackle soaring food prices and urged closer collaboration between the food and drink supply chain and politicians to get businesses through the winter and protect the nation’s supply chain.

Taking place on 19th January 2023 in Leicester, ACS’ Forecourt, Power and Convenience conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to hear from leading forecourt retailers and a range of experts from across the industry on the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector.

The conference will look into the latest developments in the sector and explore what this means for forecourt retailing. The event will also feature a virtual tour of an EV site followed by a panel discussion.

Speakers and panellists include:

At a meeting of retailers and industry experts, ACS explored a number of key issues affecting the convenience sector, including: deposit return schemes, healthy eating, vaping and digital proof of age.

ACS is reminding retailers of its industry leading Assured Advice guide on selling vapes, helping retailers to tackle the huge rise in illicit products on shelves.

The ‘Selling Vapes Responsibly’ guide includes everything that retailers need to know to recognise legitimate products, as well as the age verification policies that should be in place to ensure that products are only sold to those who are legally allowed to purchase them.

Some of the key areas highlighted in the guide include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched a new explainer video and briefing, providing a comprehensive explanation of Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS).

The briefing has been developed to provide retailers with an overview of DRS in Scotland which is due to go live on 16th August 2023. The scheme will cover a range of materials including PET plastic, aluminium, steel and glass. Scotland aims to achieve a 90% collection rate for materials in scope by 2025.