News

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.

Local shops have welcomed a significant business rates support package announced in the 2022 Autumn Statement.

In the Autumn Statement, the Government has announced that from April 2023, it will provide business rates support in the following headline areas:

ACS has called on the Government to secure the future of the UK’s convenience stores, warning of store closures from April if current support is not extended.

Ahead of the Autumn Statement tomorrow (November 17^th) ACS has reiterated its calls for support in three crucial areas that will affect how convenience stores can continue to trade and invest in 2023:

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

The new ‘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) is supporting Usdaw’s Respect for Shopworkers Week which aims to highlight the scale of violence and abuse against shopworkers and encourage consumers to treat shopworkers with respect.

Today (14th November) ACS chief executive James Lowman featured on a panel at Usdaw’s summit of retail employers and their representative bodies, looking at the continuing problem of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised concerns about the introduction of different HFSS rules in Scotland and the impact that they’ll have on retailers.

In response to an Impact Assessment from the Scottish Government on the details of proposals to restrict the siting and promotion of HFSS products, ACS has highlighted the significant impact that the proposals will have on retailers – especially those that have stores in both Scotland and other areas of the UK.

ACS has called on the Government to secure the future of the UK’s convenience stores, warning of store closures from April if current support is not extended.

Ahead of the Fiscal Statement on November 17^th, ACS has written to the Chancellor calling for support in three crucial areas that will affect how convenience stores can continue to trade and invest in 2023:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed MPs ahead of a ten minute rule motion on tobacco licensing led by Bob Blackman MP.

In its briefing, ACS has encouraged MPs to consider how more resources can be directed to Trading Standards to help them tackle the illicit tobacco trade.

Research conducted by ACS of enforcement officers in Trading Standards across the UK has shown that 61% don’t believe they have the resources to tackle the illicit tobacco and vaping market.

I keep hearing about the link between the cost of living crisis and shop theft and I wrote about this before back in May. We’ve been approached by the media to comment on this apparent link, and it’s something we’re discussing with members as we hear their feedback on trading conditions. I haven’t changed my view, but we’ve got some more information on this that I wanted to share and discuss.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is inviting retailers to attend the next Responsible Retailing Expert Group meeting to explore the latest insights on regulatory compliance and responsible retailing.

The Responsible Retailing Expert Group brings together a network of convenience retailers and policy experts to understand the latest developments on upcoming regulations and what they mean in terms of running a convenience store.