Press Releases

A report released today by the influential think tank Policy Exchange has suggested that shop theft has been 'decriminalised' because of a weak response from courts and police.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "Shop theft is one of the biggest operational challenges retailers face and it's frustrating when we see repeat offenders getting away with fines. The only way to tackle shop theft effectively is by encouraging police and retailers to work closely together and prevent reoffending with tougher sanctions for repeat shop thieves."

The Department for Communities and Local Government have disregarded many of the recommendations of the influential Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry into the operation of National Planning Policy Framework and ‘town centre first’ planning policy.

Two of the UKs leading trade associations have joined forces to produce new guidance for retailers on schemes run by local authorities that aim to voluntarily remove high strength alcohol from sale. The Association of Convenience Stores and the Wine and Spirit Trade Association have developed the advice following concerns raised about the approach of the so called “Reducing the Strength” initiatives across the UK.

The Low Pay Commission, the body which advises the government on minimum wage, has recommended an increase to the current national minimum wage by 3% from £6.50 to £6.70. The increase, if accepted by the government, would come into effect in October 2015.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “With inflation running at 0.5% and many prices in store going down, this cost increase will be another challenge for convenience stores particularly for those trying to take on more staff and grow their business.

In its submission to the Treasury ahead of the final Budget before the 2015 General Election, ACS has highlighted long term business rates reform, tackling the £1.3bn annual cost of duty fraud and minimising the negative impact of employment costs as the issues where local shops need to see immediate action to unlock more growth and jobs in the convenience store sector.

In a letter to local councils, Ministers have told planning officers to use powers in the National Planning Policy Framework to deliver retail investment in town centres. Clarification of planning policy has only previously been delivered by Ministers on controversial planning issues like Greenbelt developments.

ACS has urged MPs to support the development of new convenience stores ahead of a debate on pub conversions.

The Government has confirmed that a vote on the introduction of standardised tobacco packaging will take place before Parliament breaks ahead of the General Election.

Health Minister Jane Ellison announced during an evening adjournment debate on Wednesday that the measures would be laid before parliament.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called for a tougher stance on shop theft from police and the justice system after figures released today by the British Retail Consortium revealed that the cost of shop theft across the retail sector has increased. Recently published government data also reflects this trend, reporting that overall, there has been a 5% increase in shop theft offences in England and Wales.

ACS has welcomed the simplified process for personal licence renewals set out by the Home Office ahead of the implementation of the Deregulation Bill.

The Deregulation Bill, which is currently before Parliament, intends to scrap the requirement for personal licence holders to renew their licence every ten years. However, the passing of this Bill will be after the ten year renewal point for those who were granted their licence in early 2005, so those holders will need to renew their licence.