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ACS has called on the Welsh Government to drop its ban on so called ‘non-essential’ products ahead of a review of the policy today (Monday).

The calls come after the Welsh First Minister said that retailers could now use their ‘discretion’ around whether or not to sell non-essential goods.

The Welsh Government have now confirmed guidance for retailers on the types of products that can and cannot be sold, just a few hours ahead of the introduction of the firebreak lockdown restrictions at 6pm today.

The Welsh Government states that the products and services which can be sold in stores are any products which would normally be sold in:

Retailers and trade bodies including the Association of Convenience Stores and the Welsh Retail Consortium have written urgently to the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford, expressing alarm over new regulations to restrict the sale of ‘non-essential’ products in essential shops during the firebreak. The ACS and WRC are seeking an urgent meeting with the First Minister on this.

ACS has written to the Transport Secretary, calling on the Government to support the UK’s 8,000+ forecourts with additional funding to help the expansion of the electric vehicle charging network.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation on reducing single-use plastic in Wales.

The Welsh Government is proposing a ban on nine single-use plastic items including; plastic straws, cotton buds and plastic stirrers, similar to the ban in England which came into effect on 1st October 2020.

The consultation proposes a ban on the following nine single-use items:

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Nescafé, the coffee experts, have launched a new online coffee-to-go hub as a one stop shop destination to help coffee-to-go customers and convenience stores grow their hot drinks trade and maximise their sales from coffee.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the launch of a new campaign from the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) providing consumers with advice on how to purchase and use fireworks responsibly.

OPSS is working with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Child Accident Prevention Trust, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, focusing on advising consumers on how to use fireworks safely and considerately, protecting both people and animals from harm.

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Maximuscle have created a brand new line of high protein, low sugar bars that ticks all of the boxes for the consumer. They’re lower priced and easier than ever to order with the launch of their brand new business to business app and website.

Increasingly and more than ever, consumers are conscious of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the role of high protein and low sugar within it.

ACS has welcomed the passing of a Bill which will delay the next re-evaluation of business rates to 2023.

The Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No.2) Bill, postpones the date on which the next re-evaluation of business rates in England and Wales takes effect from 2022 to 2023. The Scottish Government has also committed to delay its 2022 revaluation until 2023.

ACS has called on the Government and regulators to act to protect choice within the UK’s payment networks and support retailers to manage escalating payments costs.

HM Treasury’s call for evidence, Payments Landscape Review, forms the first stage of a review into the payments landscape. In its submission, ACS highlighted the vital role that local shops play in ensuring financial inclusion in communities across the UK.