Press Releases

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the details of a new consultation published by the Department of Health and Social Care on additional restrictions to vaping and nicotine products, raising concerns about the practicality, cost and operational challenges of a proposed vape display ban.  

ACS has written to sustainability minister Llyr Gruffydd MS, raising serious concerns about a lack of progress on the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme in Wales, and urging the Welsh Government to exclude glass from the scheme to ensure it remains workable for local shops.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed renewed calls from the influential Business and Trade Committee, urging the government to look again at ways to support small businesses.

The select committee had been tasked with conducting an inquiry into the government’s Small Business Strategy, which ACS provided evidence to. The committee’s report, published in February 2026, made over 60 recommendations to the Government, including:

ACS has welcomed proposals from Andy Burnham on changes to the business rates system to support independent retailers.

In interviews since becoming MP for Makerfield, Mr Burnham has suggested that if he were to become the next prime minister, he would increase the threshold at which small business rate relief applies from £12,000 currently to £18,000 rateable value, with an increase in the tapered thresholds up to £21,000 (currently £15,000).

ACS has welcomed progress on a change in the law that would allow digital ID to be used for the sale of alcohol for the first time.

Digital ID has been growing and developing in recent years, with a number of providers offering solutions for retailers to support them with their responsibility to prevent underage sales. However, to date, digital ID solutions have not been permitted for use when approving the sale of alcohol.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation on the future application of the nutrient profiling model (NPM), raising concerns about how changes would impact retailers already dealing with HFSS regulations. 

The Association of Convenience Stores has warned the Home Affairs Select Committee that organised gangs are operating in plain sight in communities, stealing from shops on a massive scale and running dodgy shops with illicit products as part of a network of wider serious criminal activity.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched a new resource hub for convenience retailers to help them prepare for the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme. Currently 48% of convenience retailers have no awareness of DRS.

ACS has welcomed a significant victory in the battle against the illicit trade today as the Government announced 12 month closure orders for businesses found to be selling illicit products. 

Existing powers allow premises to be closed for up to six months, but the Government note that businesses can often reopen before investigations have concluded, allowing criminal activity to resume and creating additional burdens for local authorities, police forces and the courts. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the confirmation of the criteria for which stores can apply for an exemption under the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme, announced today by scheme administrator Exchange for Change.