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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

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched new comprehensive guide for retailers on how to provide excellent customer service for all customers including the millions of customers with disabilities and different needs.

Launched today (18^th May), the Everyone Welcome Guide provides advice for retailers both in terms of how stores can be adapted and how colleagues can provide a welcoming environment for all customers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has developed a brand-new package of employment resources for retailers, supporting effective recruitment, retention and progression across the convenience sector.

The ACS People Hub has been launched to support members within a competitive labour market and follows the launch of the ACS Wellbeing Guide in September.

The People Hub, accessible via the ACS Member Portal, includes content on:

Official figures from the Home Office published today (30^th March) have again shown the link between the Covid-19 pandemic and crimes committed against wholesalers and retailers. 

The Home Office data showed that nearly half (46%) of retailers perceived an increase in levels of violence and assault between April 2020 and March 2021. These findings closely align with ACS' 2022 Crime Report that estimated 35,000 violent incidents in convenience stores in the last 12 months.

Key findings of the Commercial Victimisation Survey include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a joint consultation launched by the Treasury and Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities about implementing changes to business rates confirmed at the Autumn Budget.

The consultation covers a number of areas, including: delivering three-yearly revaluations, reforming the appeals system in England, and introducing improvement relief and green investment incentives.

In the submission, ACS makes a number of recommendations: