Press Releases

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed Peers ahead of the Second Reading of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC) in the House of Lords, calling for the Government to consider amendments which would introduce tougher sentencing to address attacks against shopworkers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) on its five-year strategy, calling for the regulator to prioritise reducing the cost of anti-competitive and opaque card scheme fees.  

The draft strategy identifies four key priorities:

Local shops have welcomed the Government’s decision to allow 16 and 17 year olds to continue selling lottery products, when approved by someone over the age of 18, from October this year.

The Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale, has confirmed the introduction an approved sales system for National Lottery Products following a short consultation in July and August.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on the Home Office to amend the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to create a new offence of assaulting a shopworker.

Today (9th September) the Home Affairs Select Committee published the Government’s response to its report on Violence and abuse towards retail workers.

49% of independent convenience store owners have reported that they’ve worked every day over the last year, doubling the total from last year (24%).

The 2021 Local Shop Report, published this week by the Association of Convenience Stores, highlights how hard retailers have been working over the last 12 months to keep communities going and make sure that there is still enough on the shelves for customers.

The Association of Convenience Stores has announced the appointment of SPAR Managing Director Louise Hoste as its new chair from November, with award winning independent retailer Ramesh Shingadia continuing in the role of vice chair.

Louise Hoste will succeed Central England Co-Operative Chief Executive Debbie Robinson as chair of the board. Debbie has served as chair since November 2019 and will remain on the ACS board.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched new guidance for the convenience sector to provide retailers with practical advice on how to support wellbeing for themselves and their colleagues.

Launched today (31^st August) the Wellbeing Guide has been developed in collaboration with the What Works Centre for Wellbeing (WWCW) to provide guidance for retailers of all sizes about practical steps to take on the shop floor to improve staff retention and customer service via a healthy, engaged workforce.

ACS has welcomed Government proposals to allow 16 and 17 year olds to continue selling lottery products after new age restrictions come into force in October this year.

Convenience stores, pharmacies and post offices are the services that have the most positive impact in local communities according to a new report from ACS. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers that there is just over one month until the rollout of the E10 fuel grade, which is being introduced part of the Government’s Transportation Decarbonisation Plan. 

From 1st September 2021, E10 petrol will be introduced as the UK-wide standard petrol grade at pumps. ACS is reminding all fuel retailers to ensure that they are prepared for this change, have briefed their staff and communicated the change to their customers to avoid confusion.