Press Releases
UK’s Rural Shops Providing Lifeline for Isolated Communities
ACS has urged the Government to recognise the importance of rural shops and ensure that they are not left playing catch up when it comes to being able to provide services to their customers.
The 2021 ACS Rural Shop Report has revealed how crucial the UK’s 17,000+ rural shops are to their local communities, with findings from this year’s report showing that throughout 2020, rural consumers have increasingly used their local shop for a wider range of products, and one in five reporting that they depend on their local shop more now than a year ago.
Read MoreObesity Strategy: Thousands of Retailers Wrongly Included in Costly Proposals
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called on the Government to rethink its plans to put a £26m cost burden on around 2,000 independent retailers as part of its Obesity Strategy proposals.
The latest iteration of the Government’s Obesity Strategy includes a range of measures aimed at encouraging adults to change their purchasing behaviour, diet and lifestyle, with specific proposals aimed at retailers such as:
Read MoreMinister for Crime and Policing Confirmed for ACS’ 2021 Crime Seminar!
Book your place at ACS’ Crime Seminar, taking place virtually between 10-11.15am on 23rd March 2021.
The event will feature the launch of the 2021 Crime Report, provide the opportunity to hear about best practice from industry experts and explore how the sector is working to tackle crime.
Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse has been confirmed to address the seminar to talk about action the Government is taking on retail crime and violence, including ACS’ work in partnership with the Home Office.
Read MoreBusiness Minister ‘Deeply Shocked’ by Violence and Abuse against Local Shops
Small Business Minister Paul Scully MP has told the Association of Convenience Stores that he is ‘deeply shocked’ by the abuse and violence faced by people working in local shops.
In a letter to ACS CEO James Lowman, the Minister highlighted the ‘tremendous effort’ that convenience stores have made in adapting and innovating during the pandemic, paying tribute to those retailers that have ‘gone out of their way to support the more vulnerable members of the community during this time’.
Read MoreMinister for Rural Affairs Confirmed to Speak at ACS’ 2021 Rural Shop Report Launch!
Lord Gardiner of Kimble, Minister for Rural Affairs has been confirmed to provide a keynote address at the event, reflecting on the findings of the report and detailing the Government’s plans to support rural shops.
Taking place virtually on 23rd 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.
Read MoreACS: Planning System Must Protect Access to Local Services
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has joined a number of business organisations to raise concerns on Government plans to allow retail uses within town centres and local parades to be converted into housing without planning permission.
Read MoreSave the Date for ACS’ 2021 Crime Seminar!
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has confirmed the date for its annual Crime Seminar, which will take place virtually between 10-11.15am on 23rd March 2021.
The event will feature the launch of the 2021 Crime Report, provide the opportunity to hear about best practice from industry experts and explore how the sector is working to tackle crime.
Read MoreACS: Urgent Action Needed to Improve the Card Payments Market
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) consultation on the interim report for its market review into the supply of card acquiring services.
The interim report made a number of proposals:
Read MoreRetailers and Trade Bodies Call for Business Rates Reform in 2021 Budget
ACS has joined retailers and trade bodies in calls for the business rates system to be reformed to make it fairer for physical stores.
In an open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, published this morning, 18 groups including ACS, BIRA, USDAW, Tesco and Waterstones have called on the Government to make fundamental changes to the way that business rates are collected so that physical stores aren’t at a disadvantage compared to online retailers.
The letter makes the following specific recommendations:
Read MoreShortlist Announced for Upcoming ACS Technology Showcase!
Taking place virtually on 10th February 2021, ACS’ Technology Showcase is the unique chance for retailers and suppliers to come together to explore the latest technology trends, products and services set to transform the sector.
The following companies were selected by ACS’ Independent Board and have been shortlisted to demonstrate their product or service at the event:
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