Press Releases

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has developed new guidance to help convenience retailers to support customers who are grocery shopping on behalf of others during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Launched today (21st April) the new guidance has been developed to inform convenience retailers about best practice on offering and processing ‘card not present’ payments during the COVID-19 outbreak for volunteers purchasing groceries on behalf of vulnerable customers or people self-isolating.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a letter from Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, to those working in retail during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In the open letter to the retail sector, Alok Sharma MP outlines the support that has been made available by the Government for retailers and thanks those working in and running stores.

ACS has launched a new campaign this week, calling on convenience store retailers to report those who are attempting to raise prices unfairly and take advantage of consumers during the Covid-19 outbreak.

ACS is urging retailers to report any instances they see to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who have set up a taskforce on the issue in response to complaints about price hikes from consumers.

ACS has developed guidance for retailers in the convenience sector who are looking to provide home delivery for customers, including new information on vehicle insurance requirements.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is outlining the business rates and cash grant support measures that have been made available for retailers in response to the developing situation of the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19).

The funding that has been made available is detailed below:

England

The National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates are increasing today, following recommendations made to the Government by the Low Pay Commission (LPC).

From today, the new rates are as follows:

From today (1^st April) the contactless card payment limit in shops is increasing to £45 as part of measures to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Shoppers will now be able to make contactless card payments of up to £45 per transaction, an increase of £15 from the previous £30 limit which was implemented in 2015.

An increased limit was already being considered but the process has been accelerated as part of the industry’s response to Covid-19.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a letter from DEFRA Secretary George Eustice MP, recognising the enormous contribution of the people running and working in convenience stores.

ACS has welcomed an announcement from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy this morning (25^th March), extending the deadline for filing all accounts by three months for businesses that have been affected by Covid-19. Under normal circumstances, companies that file accounts late are issued with an automatic penalty.

As part of the measures, while companies will still have to apply for the three month extension to be granted, those citing issues around Covid-19 will be automatically and immediately granted an extension.

ACS is encouraging convenience retailers to follow advice on social distancing to protect colleagues and customers from the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus).

It is advised that you implement additional measures in your store to help customers ensure that they adhere to social distancing guidelines. Consider putting lines on the floor in front of the till points to ensure that customers maintain a safe distance to colleagues, asking customers to maintain distance whilst queueing, and encourage customers to use contactless payment where possible.