News
ACS: Local Shops are Committed to Becoming More Dementia-Friendly
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers and colleagues to become Dementia Friends to better understand and support customers living with dementia.
Findings from ACS’ Voice of Local Shops Survey revealed that around 4,500 independent stores have Dementia Friends working in-store.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops operate at the heart of their communities and are lifelines for customers who may be more isolated or vulnerable and this has been particularly evident throughout the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read MoreACS: Tougher Penalties Needed for Attacks on Shopworkers
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed MPs ahead of the Second Reading of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC), calling for tougher sentencing to address attacks against shopworkers.
The Bill includes plans to introduce tougher sentencing for attacks on emergency workers and reforms to the Out of Courts Disposals system (OOCD) to address repeat offending.
In its briefing, ACS made two key recommendations:
Read MoreMore Speakers Announced for ACS’ 2021 Crime Seminar!
Book your place at ACS’ Crime Seminar, taking place virtually between 10-11.15am on 23rd March 2021.
The event will feature the launch of the 2021 Crime Report, provide the opportunity to hear about best practice from industry experts and explore how the sector is working to tackle crime.
Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse has been confirmed to address the seminar to talk about action the Government is taking on retail crime and violence, including ACS’ work in partnership with the Home Office.
Confirmed speakers and panellists include:
Read MoreACS: Welsh Government Announces First Stage of Lockdown Relaxation
Today (12th March) the Welsh Government set out its first steps out of lockdown, with “stay local" guidance replacing "stay home".
First Minister Mark Drakeford said that the easing of rules in Wales was the start of a “phased approach” out of lockdown.
From 22nd March there will be gradual easing of non-essential shopping and non-essential aisles in supermarkets and this will be followed by the reopening of non-essential retail on 12th April.
Read MoreACS: Government Must Honour Commitment to Access to Cash
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to take urgent access to ensure long-term access to cash and to provide local shops with support in order to continue providing this service to their customers.
Today (11th March) marks one year since the Government outlined its commitment to legislate to secure access to cash at Budget 2020.
Read MoreSupplier News: Camelot - 18+ Age to Play Change for National Lottery Products
Content supplied by Camelot:
Last year, the government carried out a major and wide-ranging review of gambling laws to ensure they were, and remain, fit for the digital age. As part of this, it was announced that, in October 2021, the minimum age to play The National Lottery will be raised from 16 to 18.
Read MoreACS: Census 2021 Celebrates Values of Local Shops
Taking place on 21st March, this year’s census is not only about collecting essential information that underpins decisions that impact everyone, it is about celebrating ordinary people and the extraordinary contributions they have made to their communities.
Census 2021 will be the 22nd census of England and Wales and to mark the occasion, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is awarding 22 local community heroes with bespoke purple plaques which can be displayed at either their workplace, home or in the wider community.
Read MoreChief Executive's Blog: Investing for Growth?
Two things happened last week that have prompted me to write this: we had Rishi Sunak’s second budget, and closer to home our Voice of Local Shops survey results came back. This is our quarterly survey of about 1,200 retailers in which we find out their levels of optimism, future plans, and views on a range of issues where we’re talking to government. It’s an invaluable part of what we do, making sure that we’re able to share facts as well as sentiment as we take part in policy discussions on issues that retailers care about.
Read MoreSupplier News: MishiPay - Shopper Attitudes Following Covid-19
Content supplied by MishiPay:
Our new whitepaper takes a closer look at how shoppers view the current state of shopping at physical brick-and-mortar stores following the outbreak of COVID-19.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on almost every facet of our daily lives. From the way we work to the way we socialise, the outbreak of the virus has forced us to reimagine what were seemingly routine activities in our daily lives in order to stay safe.
Read MoreACS Outlines Local Shops’ Recommendations for a Workable DRS
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to an Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) call for evidence on the next steps for the implementation of deposit return schemes.
The call for evidence sought views on; materials in scope, scheme design, obligations on retailers, recent changes in retail activity and how the scheme works in relation to other Government waste schemes under the Resource and Waste Strategy such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
ACS’ key recommendations for the scheme include:
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