News

ACS has responded to a HM Treasury consultation on business rates, welcoming the proposed move to more frequent revaluations and using the business rates system to better incentivise investment.

In its submission, ACS welcomes the planned move to three yearly revaluations, as it would act as a better indication of how rateable values are tracking against the property market. Currently, business rates are reviewed every five years unless they’re delayed by Government.

ACS has welcomed the introduction of a new statutory offence in Scotland for assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker.

The Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-Restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act, initially proposed by Daniel Johnson MSP, was backed unanimously by MSPs in January and comes into force today. ACS has supported colleagues at the shopworkers union Usdaw and the Scottish Grocers Federation who have led the campaign for this legislation.

The following has been provided by ACS supplier member Pepsico: 

Walkers is celebrating loved local restaurants with the launch of new limited-edition Local Taste Icons flavours – delicious crunch-sized versions of the most-loved local restaurant dishes. Rolling out from mid-August, the line-up has been inspired by four standout local restuarants and includes:

There’s just over a week to go until the rollout of the E10 fuel grade, which is being introduced part of the Government’s Transportation Decarbonisation Plan. 

From 1st September 2021, E10 petrol will be introduced as the UK-wide standard petrol grade at pumps. ACS is reminding all fuel retailers to ensure that they are prepared for this change, have briefed their staff and communicated the change to their customers to avoid confusion.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is delighted to announce that WRS Systems, a supplier of POS systems, has joined ACS as a new Connect member.

WRS has expanded over the past to become a significant supplier of POS systems to the hospitality and retail market, in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

The company has expanded in a manner that has enabled it to ensure the levels of support and development are maintained across its portfolio, but also understands that any solution provided to a client now must be ‘future-proof’.

Content supplied by Herbert Group: 

Stores from opposite ends of the UK are to benefit from cutting edge technology with SoluM electronic shelf labels being rolled out to stores across two regional co-operatives.

Cambridge based technology integrator, Herbert Retail, is supplying and installing the electronic shelf labels (ESLs) to stores run by Scotmid Co-op and Southern Co-op. Initial trials have already seen increased store efficiency, improved pricing and product information compliance, reduced paper wastage and an enhanced store team morale.

There’s just two weeks to go until the rollout of the E10 fuel grade, which is being introduced part of the Government’s Transportation Decarbonisation Plan. 

From 1st September 2021, E10 petrol will be introduced as the UK-wide standard petrol grade at pumps. ACS is reminding all fuel retailers to ensure that they are prepared for this change, have briefed their staff and communicated the change to their customers to avoid confusion.

The UK’s Retail Sector Council (RSC) has launched a national online initiative to help small independent retailers (SMEs) cut their carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.

ACS has welcomed Government proposals to allow 16 and 17 year olds to continue selling lottery products after new age restrictions come into force in October this year.

Book your place at the launch of the 2021 Local Shop Report, taking place in Birmingham and as a virtual event on 8^th September.

The launch event will explore the findings of this year's report and provide a comprehensive look at the stores, people and services within the convenience sector.

The event will feature a panel session with a group of leading convenience retailers to reflect on the findings of this year’s report and to find out about the running of a convenience store first-hand.

Confirmed speakers include: