Press Releases

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse has announced that the Government will act to introduce tougher sentences for attacking a shopworker.

The Home Office notified the National Retail Crime Steering Group, of which ACS is a member, that an amendment has been tabled which would make attacking a retail worker an aggravated offence, resulting in tougher sentencing for offenders.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a report from the Food Foundation on its Peas Please initiative which highlights the essential role that local shops play in providing healthy food to their communities.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation on the future of transport, calling on the Government to provide more support to the convenience sector to help the expansion of the electric vehicle charging network.

Today (22nd November) the Prime Minister announced new regulations for new homes and buildings in England in relation to electric vehicle charging points.

DEFRA Minister for Rural Affairs Lord Benyon has been confirmed to speak at the parliamentary launch of ACS’ Rural Shop Report 2022, taking place in the Churchill Room, House of Commons on Tuesday 25th January 2022.

The launch event will explore the findings of the report, providing a comprehensive overview of rural shops in the convenience sector and the role that they play in communities across the UK.

Business and retail groups including the Association of Convenience Stores, the British Retail Consortium and the Food and Drink Federation have called for clarity ahead of the introduction of new regulations that aim to limit the placement and promotion of ‘high fat, salt and sugar’ (HFSS) products.

There’s just two weeks until ACS’ annual Innovation Showcase, taking place virtually on 24^th November.

The Innovation Showcase is the unique chance for retailers and suppliers to come together to explore the latest products and services set to transform the sector.

This virtual event provides an opportunity for suppliers to showcase a product or service that has been launched in 2021 or will be launching in the future and shows clear innovation in the retail industry. A panel of retailers will then offer their expert opinion on each entry.

Save the date for the parliamentary launch of ACS’ Rural Shop Report 2022, taking place on Tuesday 25^th January 2022.

The launch event will explore the findings of the report, providing a comprehensive overview of rural shops in the convenience sector and the role that they play in communities across the UK.

MP for North Devon, Selaine Saxby, has been confirmed to speak at the launch and will talk about the importance of rural stores in her constituency.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the publication of the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) final report into the card-acquiring market review.

Published today (3rd November) the report recognises the need to encourage retailers to search and switch or negotiate a better deal with existing providers and to reduce the obstacles to retailers getting a better deal.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has signed up to the Women’s Safety Night Charter, reflecting local shops’ commitment to ensuring the safety of people entering their stores.

The Night Charter has been created by the London Assembly and Mayor of London in an effort to help women feel welcome and confident in their local areas at night. It is part of the Mayor’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and London’s commitment to the UN Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces global initiative.

The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the Chancellor’s action to support businesses through green investment incentives.  

In his Budget speech to Parliament today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP announced that green investments such as solar panels and heat pumps would be exempt from business rates. Additionally, investment in improvements to businesses will not be subject to business rates for 12 months after that investment is made. Subject to confirming eligibility, local shops will also benefit from a 50% reduction in their rates bills for 2022/23.