Press Releases

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on people working in local shops to provide their views on employment in the convenience sector as part of the 2021 Colleague Survey.

The survey asks colleagues to provide feedback on their experiences of working in the sector, looking at training and progression, working environments and wellbeing, employment contracts and life outside work, pay and the benefits of working in the convenience sector.  

Now in its sixth year, the ACS Colleague Survey:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has warned that restrictions on where some food products can be sited within a minority of convenience stores in England will have a significant impact on more than one in five of England’s local shops. The Department for Health & Social Care has today (Monday 28 December) published its response to a consultation on restricting placement of certain high fat, salt and sugar products at in store entrances, the end of aisles and at tills, as well as banning mechanisms like “buy one get one free” deals

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers to beware of counterfeit alcohol during the Christmas period after indications of counterfeit goods entering into the UK market.

There have been instances of independent retailers being targeted with counterfeit products and we are reminding retailers to only work with Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme (AWRS) registered wholesalers and to take seriously any complaints regarding the difference in the expected taste, smell or look of a product.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the announcement from the House of Commons’ Home Affairs Committee of an inquiry into violence and abuse towards retail workers

Launched today (18^th December) the inquiry will focus on the police response to reported incidents, and the calls for a new aggravated offence for violent and abusive behaviour towards retail workers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to host a number of virtual awareness sessions to create more Dementia Friends in the convenience sector.

The sessions are free for ACS members to attend and will be taking place on the following dates:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on convenience retailers to get involved with a new initiative to mark the Census 2021, which aims to celebrate the unsung heroes in local communities across England and Wales.

The census is a survey that happens every ten years and helps plan funding and provision of public services. The next census is taking place in 2021 and will be the 22^nd census of England and  Wales.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed an announcement from the Welsh Government that business rates in Wales will be frozen for 2021/22.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans MS confirmed today (15th December) that businesses rates in Wales will not be subject to an inflationary increase in 2021-22. It is estimated that the freeze will support around 54,000 ratepayers across Wales, who are not already receiving 100% rates relief. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has promoted a number of members of its commercial team.

ACS has welcomed the extension of a ban on business evictions until the end of March 2021.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP announced the extension to protections from the threat of eviction, which will give landlords and tenants 3 months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. The government has made it clear that where businesses can pay any or all of their rent, they should do so.

Launched today (8^th December) ACS’ 2021 Welsh Local Shop Report has revealed the vital role that convenience stores play in the lives of customers and communities across Wales, particularly to those who may be more isolated or vulnerable.