Press Releases

Ofgem has published proposals to deliver closer regulation of energy brokers to ensure that microbusinesses can secure the best energy contracts.

In a new consultation published this week, Ofgem propose to introduce more requirements on suppliers to ensure brokers conduct themselves appropriately, for brokers to provide more clarity on commissions and 14 day cooling off periods on contracts.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a HMICFRS consultation on the Proposed Programme of Policing Inspections for 2020/21.

The consultation seeks views on two key areas, these are:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the publication of a new report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s on the impact of Covid-19 on food supply.

Published today (30^th July) the report highlights the vital role that smaller retailers have played in providing food to people during the pandemic, particularly where they were unable to get to supermarkets.

Today (29^th July) part one of the National Food Strategy was published, outlining a number of recommendations to Government to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the food system and to encourage healthy eating from an early age.

One of the areas explored in the report is the role of national schemes in providing children with a ‘nutritional safety net’, including Healthy Start.

Today (27^th July) the Government announced plans to ban ‘buy one get one free’ promotions and restrict the siting of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products as part of its national strategy for tackling obesity.

The strategy outlines measures, some of which have previously been consulted on and introduces new measures in light of the links between obesity and Covid-19 deaths.

Book your place as ACS’ unmissable annual conference taking place on 9^th September 2020.

Summit20 will be taking place as a virtual immersive event with three main sessions:

1. Leading experts talking about the future of the industry, asking how we can support colleagues working in stores, and what the food offer of the future looks like. Confirmed speakers addressing these issues in the context of an industry changed by the Covid crisis include:

Retailers have issued a plea to customers look under 25 to work with them to check their age by removing their face coverings when buying age restricted products, such as alcohol and tobacco.

The Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) has today issued a new poster alerting customers that look under 25 that they may be asked to remove their face coverings to help check their age. The new poster has been issued in response to new government regulations requiring the mandatory use of face coverings in retail stores from Friday 24^th July.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the publication of the long-awaited call for evidence on reform of the business rates system.

The call for evidence, which will be open to submissions until 31^st October, considers several areas of the business rates system and calls for views on how the system can be reformed, including whether:

ACS has launched a new poster for retailers to help communicate the new rules on face coverings that come into force later this week.

From Friday July 24^th, wearing a face covering will be compulsory in shops in England. The rules do not extend to colleagues in stores, although the Government strongly recommends that colleagues wear a face covering where possible.

There are a number of exemptions for people who are not able to wear a face covering, which are detailed on the poster. These include:

In its evidence to the Low Pay Commission, ACS has outlined convenience retailers’ concerns about the impact that rising wage costs will have on the local, flexible and secure jobs offered by the convenience sector.