News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched an extended version of its ‘Selling Vapes Responsibly’ guide to support retailers with the transition away from disposable vapes ahead of a ban on the products on June 1st 2025. The guide is produced with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards as assured advice, which means that ACS members can rely on this advice and the interpretations of how to comply with the new regulations. 

It’s the last chance to secure your place at our Innovation & NPD Showcase, taking place next week on the 20th November at the London Stadium. This year’s showcase highlights the latest innovative products that is currently or will be sweeping the convenience sector, with samples available to try and plenty of chances to discuss and learn from peers.

Content provided by Innovation & NPD Showcase Sponsor StoresAce.

How StoresAce Helped Local Convenience Stores Optimizing Operations through Advanced MRP, OMS, and Inventory Management Solutions 

Today (11th November), Usdaw launched the 2024 Respect for Shopworkers Week, which aims to raise awareness about the violence and abuse faced by retailers and convenience colleagues.

Usdaw’s interim results collected from over 4,000 retail staff responses have revealed that over the last year, 69% have experienced verbal abuse, 45% were threatened by a customer, and 17% were assaulted. Of these incidents, 70% were triggered by shoplifting, and two-thirds of this has been linked to addiction.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has announced its first ever group independent retailer Ambassadors. The ACS Ambassador programme selects and recognises retailers who have been outstanding in their support of the work that ACS does, whether through campaigns, events, social media engagement, interviews, or research.
The full list of the first group of ACS ambassadors is:

Today (6th November), the Senedd’s Cross Party Group (CPG) on Small Shops held its annual general meeting today to elect the Group's Chair and discuss the important role of access to cash in local communities.

Russell George MS has been elected as the new Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops, succeeding Vikki Howells MS.

ACS highlighted in the session the current access to cash trends across the convenience sector and the importance role cash plays in local communities and businesses.

The Government have published details of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, including initial proposals for a retailer licensing scheme alongside a number of changes aimed at reducing youth access to tobacco and vaping products.

ACS has welcomed the findings of a new inquiry from the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee which recommends a range of measures to deal with the epidemic of shop theft facing retailers.

The Lords Committee has been considering the impact of shop theft on the retail sector since the end of the last parliament, hearing from different stakeholders involved in retail, academia and crime prevention on ways to improve reporting, reduce reoffending, and improve retailers’ confidence in the police.

ACS (The Association of Convenience Stores) are delighted to announce the shortlist for the upcoming Innovation & NPD Showcase, taking place in the London Stadium on the 20th November.

The convenience industry thrives on innovative products, services and business solutions. The innovation showcase brings you up to date with exciting NPD and in-store kit and allows you to discuss them with your peers and other experts, highlighting a range of exciting products and services that either have recently launched or will be launching in the future.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has warned that local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget. The impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

The key measures for local shops announced by the Chancellor, and the costs for local shops associated with them, are: