ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation reviewing the current law on selling in imperial and metric units, highlighting a number of issues that a move to dual pricing would have on businesses, consumers and the wider community.
Other News
Welsh Government Publishes Bill to Ban Single Use Plastic Bags
The Welsh Government has published a draft Bill which seeks to ban or restrict the sale of some of the most commonly littered single-use plastics in Wales, including a ban on plastic bags which are currently subject to a 5p charge.
ACS Submits Evidence to CMA on Fuel Market Pricing
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the CMA’s detailed market study into fuel pricing, highlighting the competitive nature of fuel pricing and the limited impact that retailers can have on the overall fuel price.
The market study follows a review ordered by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in June, which was requested after the price of petrol and diesel increased by over 60p in the previous 12 months.
The market study is focusing on what the CMA sees as the two main factors affecting the increase in the fuel price:
ACS: Transitional Relief is Vital for Local Shops Ahead of Business Rates Revaluation
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has highlighted the importance of transitional arrangements in advance of the business rates revaluation due in 2023 in a submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
In the submission, ACS makes a number of recommendations including:
Welsh Cross Party Group Explores Role of Local Shops in Retail Vision
The Cross Party Group on Small Shops has met to explore the Welsh Government’s retail vision and how small shops are contributing to the delivery of the strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales.
The meeting was chaired by Vikki Howells MS and attended by a number of MS’s and independent retail trade associations.
ACS Welcomes Concerns Raised in CMA Fuel Market Review
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a new Competition and Markets Authority review into the fuel market, which highlights the drivers of increased fuel costs.
The review, which was ordered in June by the Business Secretary, was requested after the price of petrol and diesel increased by over 60p in the last year.
PCSC Act: New Aggravated Offence Protecting Shopworkers Comes into Force
Today (28th June) new provisions come into force to make attacking an individual who serves the public, including shopworkers, an aggravated offence. This was introduced in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act.
Figures from the ACS 2022 Crime Report show that in the last year, 89% of colleagues working in convenience stores have faced abuse in their job, with over 35,000 incidents of violence taking place and over 16,000 incidents including the use of a weapon.
Welsh Government Launches New Strategy to Regenerate the Retail Sector
The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales, outlining the challenges faced by retail businesses in Wales.
The shared strategic vision for the retail sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in partnership to ensure that the retail sector has a bright and sustainable future in Wales.
The vision identifies key areas where action is needed, these include:
ACS Reminds Retailers About Changes to Tobacco Track and Trace System
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the upcoming changes to the tobacco track and trace system.
From Monday 13th June 2022, retailers may receive an email from Dentsu about the changes from the previous tobacco track system to De La Rue (DLR) over to the Dentsu system.
Retailers will also receive a second email between 20th June and 1st July 2022 and it is important that retailers do not delete this email, as this registers businesses on the live system.
CAP Report Highlights Role of Local Shops in Preventing Underage Sales Across the UK
Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) has reported significant reductions in children’s drinking and anti-social behaviour in areas where its local partnership schemes operate.
CAP partnerships are made up of retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, who work together to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of young people and improve the communities where they live. There are currently over 250 schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.