News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has warned the Chancellor about the negative effects of the new National Living Wage (NLW) increase.

Yesterday (29th October), the Chancellor announced a pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, with NLW rates rising by 6.7%. From April 2025, the following changes will come into effect:

Ahead of the Budget next Wednesday (October 30th), ACS has modelled the potential impact on the sector of some of the policy changes that have been widely discussed by the media and government MPs.  

ACS has responded to the publication of new crime figures from the Office for National Statistics, showing a record number of shoplifting offences in the year to June 2024.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales, published today (24th October 2024), has shown that in the 12 months to June 2024, there were 469,788 recorded shoplifting offences compared to 365,173 in the previous year. This is an increase of 29%.

The number of offences is the highest ever recorded by the ONS since current recording practices began in 2003.

ACS has welcomed confirmation from the Government that the proposed implementation of a ban on disposable vaping products will be delayed to June 1st to allow businesses enough time to prepare.

The Government has laid legislation to introduce the ban and, subject to parliamentary approval, businesses will have until 1st June 2025 to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban coming into force. The UK Government and Devolved Governments have worked closely and anticipate aligning coming into force dates.

The 2024 ACS Forecourt Report has revealed that the UK’s petrol forecourt retailers have invested almost £19,000 on average per store last year, compared to less than £12,000 in the previous year.

The Forecourt Report, published today, provides an overview of the 8,347 forecourt sites in the UK, the products and services they offer, and the customers they serve.

Highlights from the 2024 Forecourt Report include:

ACS has urged the Government to avoid adding to the cost of employer National Insurance Contributions ahead of the Budget on October 30th, warning that any increase in the rate would cost tens of millions of pounds for the convenience sector alone.

The Government has published the new Employment Rights Bill, outlining 28 individual employment reforms as part of its manifesto commitment to ‘Make Work Pay’.

The reforms are aimed at improving the rights of workers from their first day in employment and the government has stated it is aiming to promote two-sided flexibility that does not disproportionately favour the employer.

ACS (The Association of Convenience Stores) would like to remind all retailers and suppliers about our upcoming Innovation & NPD Showcase, taking place in the London Stadium on the 20th November.

Time is running out to confirm your place at our Gloucestershire store tour, taking place tomorrow on 9th October.

ACS is encouraging retailers to begin their preparations for selling through disposable vaping products ahead of a ban,  which is set to come into force in Wales and Scotland on April 1st 2025.

From April 1st, the only vaping products that will be legal for sale in Wales and Scotland will be those that feature the following features: