News

I follow discussions about diversity and inclusion with great interest. This is firstly because I think it’s pretty fundamental that everyone is treated fairly and with respect in any context, yet it’s also depressingly evident that this isn’t always the case and that many people have to contend with barriers and challenges that able-bodied white heterosexual men like me don’t have to think about and are probably still largely unaware of. Anyone in a leadership position should think about these issues and should expect to be challenged to act to promote diversity and inclusion.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has highlighted the importance of transitional arrangements in advance of the business rates revaluation due in 2023 in a submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

In the submission, ACS makes a number of recommendations including:

The Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee has published a report on the impact of the cost of living crisis on businesses and communities across Wales.

ACS gave oral evidence to the Committee, which has been cited in the report, highlighting the need for the Welsh Government to provide support to local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need.

Entries are open for this year’s Raj Aggarwal Trophy, a trophy awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The trophy was first launched in 2021 to mark the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal.

Applications are welcome from any convenience store operator, independent retailers and managers of multiple-owned outlets and you can also nominate a retailer who you think is deserving of the award.

To enter, applicants must submit a short film (maximum 5 minutes), which will show:

The Association of Convenience Stores is delighted to announce the appointment of three new directors to its board - Darren Nickels (Henderson Technology), Susan Connolly (Trading Director, Connolly SPAR) and Rob George (McColls).

ACS has responded to the latest ONS crime statistics for England and Wales, highlighting the need for local action to tackle shop theft.

The new ONS data for police recorded crime, sourced to the Home Office, shows that there were 274,999 incidents of shop theft in the year ending March 2022, a 21% increase on the year ending March 2021.

Save the date for ACS’ Heart of the Community 2022, ACS’ unmissable annual conference taking place at One Great George Street Westminster on 18th October.

This year’s conference will focus on two high priority areas: levelling up and sustainability and this will be explored through industry experts and prominent figures from across retail.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference has been confirmed as Katy Balls, deputy political editor of the Spectator, who will be providing analysis of the current political landscape and how this affects convenience retailers.

ACS is supporting the launch of the Government’s new Help for Households campaign, highlighting the important role that the UK’s 47,000+ local shops play in helping customers to save and manage their money during the cost of living crisis.

Entries are open for this year’s Raj Aggarwal Trophy, a trophy awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The trophy was first launched in 2021 to mark the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal.

Applications are welcome from any convenience store operator, independent retailers and managers of multiple-owned outlets and you can also nominate a retailer who you think is deserving of the award.

To enter, applicants must submit a short film (maximum 5 minutes), which will show:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved with a campaign which aims to increase awareness of how vital our senses are to living life to the full, especially for people with complex disabilities.

Throughout July, national disability charity Sense is encouraging people to host a Sensational Tea Party – a bake sale/coffee morning with a sensory twist. The aim of these tea parties is to help communities reconnect, create conversation and break down barriers as well as raising vital funds to support people with complex disabilities