News

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a new Retail Sector Council to address challenges faced by the retail industry. The group, made up of senior leaders from the industry, will be co-chaired by retail minister Andrew Griffiths MP and Richard Pennycook, chair of Fenwick and the British Retail Consortium, and former CEO at the Co-op.

There's been a lot of debate recently about the sale of energy drinks to children.  It's interesting to see the dynamics of this issue: Jamie Oliver, buoyed by his success in persuading the government to introduce a levy on sugary drinks, has now turned his sights directly to the retailers who sell high caffeine drinks.  How do you, as a retailer, and we, as a trade body, respond to such a campaign?

ACS has welcomed energy regulator Ofgem’s announcement of a mandatory 12-month limit on backbilling for microbusinesses.

Ofgem’s announcement states: ‘Many suppliers have signed up to, or follow, a voluntary agreement not to backbill customers past 12 months. However, the voluntary agreement does not cover all suppliers, and those that have signed up do not always follow this agreement. Ofgem, which consulted on this issue last year, has decided to ban all domestic and microbusiness suppliers from issuing backbills for energy used more than 12 months ago.’ 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed comments from the Exchequer Secretary, who said that the Government would hold LINK to account on their commitment to do ‘whatever it takes’ to protect the broad geographic spread of ATMs. 

March 1st (Thursday) is the last day until the old £10 note is removed from circulation. The notes will cease to be legal tender after this date. 

The new polymer £10 note was issued on 14 September 2017, features Jane Austen and is 132mm x 69mm. The current paper £10 note features Charles Darwin and is 142mm x 75mm.

ACS has responded to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, welcoming the government’s ambition to reduce the impact of single-use plastics, including action to extend plastic bag charging.

The Environment Plan was announced in January by Prime Minister Theresa May, setting out a range of targets to improve the environment and increase recycling rates. 

ACS is delighted to announce Michael Page, Polymer Logistics and Christie & Co as the sponsors for Summit 18.

Summit18 is the biggest convenience store sector event of the year. The conference brings together hundreds of retailers, suppliers and industry experts from around the globe to look at the future opportunities within the sector and provide essential key insights for everyone to take home and implement in their business.

Speakers already confirmed for Summit18 include:

ACS is delighted to announce that WIRED Executive Editor and technology expert Jeremy White has been confirmed to speak at Summit18, the biggest convenience event of the year.

As WIRED’s Executive Editor, Jeremy evaluates the qualities of new products and their impact on established markets and industries, relating this to how organisations can improve their own designs and adopt innovative thinking ahead of future threats and opportunities.

Following forecasts of heavy snow this week in parts of the UK due to the 'Beast from the East' weather pattern, ACS has advised retailers to follow the Department for Transport’s Snow Code when moving snow and ice outside their stores. Under Health and Safety law, businesses are required (so far as is reasonably practicable) to keep routes into the store free from anything that may cause a person to slip, trip or fall.

The Competition and Markets Authority have confirmed that they are investigating the anticipated acquisition of Nisa Retail by the Co-Operative Group.