Press Releases

ACS has responded to a Home Affairs Select Committee consultation on violence and abuse against shopworkers, calling on the Home Office to send a clearer message that offences will not be tolerated.

In its’ submission, ACS states that the Home Office’s response to its Call for Evidence does not go far enough to protect retailers and their colleagues from abuse. Key recommendations in the submission include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the Treasury ahead of the 2021 Budget, calling on the Chancellor to extend the business rates discount in 2021/22 to avoid a ‘sudden shock’ of high rates bills while stores are still dealing with the impact of the pandemic.

In its submission, ACS recommends a minimum 50% reduction in business rates for 2021/22 to taper the reintroduction of rates and avoid a cliff edge spike in operating costs at a time when local shops are still investing in and adapting their businesses to keep customers and colleagues safe.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government that the minimum price of a single use carrier bag (SUCB) is set to increase from 5p to 10p in an effort to help tackle plastic waste.

Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham confirmed today (13th January) that the increase is scheduled to be implemented from 1st April 2021. The announcement follows a public consultation launched at the end of 2019 by the Scottish Government on ways to develop Scotland’s circular economy.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of virtual awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.

The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on the following dates:

Taking place virtually on 23^rd February, ACS’ Rural Shop Report launch event will provide an insight into the essential role that rural shops play in their local communities and to the wider economy.

The morning launch event will reveal the findings of this year’s report, providing a comprehensive overview of rural shops in the convenience sector, the services that they offer and the people running the stores.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on people working in local shops to provide their views on employment in the convenience sector as part of the 2021 Colleague Survey.

The survey asks colleagues to provide feedback on their experiences of working in the sector, looking at training and progression, working environments and wellbeing, employment contracts and life outside work, pay and the benefits of working in the convenience sector.  

Now in its sixth year, the ACS Colleague Survey:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has warned that restrictions on where some food products can be sited within a minority of convenience stores in England will have a significant impact on more than one in five of England’s local shops. The Department for Health & Social Care has today (Monday 28 December) published its response to a consultation on restricting placement of certain high fat, salt and sugar products at in store entrances, the end of aisles and at tills, as well as banning mechanisms like “buy one get one free” deals

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers to beware of counterfeit alcohol during the Christmas period after indications of counterfeit goods entering into the UK market.

There have been instances of independent retailers being targeted with counterfeit products and we are reminding retailers to only work with Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme (AWRS) registered wholesalers and to take seriously any complaints regarding the difference in the expected taste, smell or look of a product.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the announcement from the House of Commons’ Home Affairs Committee of an inquiry into violence and abuse towards retail workers

Launched today (18^th December) the inquiry will focus on the police response to reported incidents, and the calls for a new aggravated offence for violent and abusive behaviour towards retail workers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of virtual awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.

The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on the following dates: