ACS has welcomed calls from the Local Government Association to impose tougher sanctions on those caught selling illicit tobacco.
The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has called for bigger fines to be imposed on those who sell illicit tobacco products, raising concerns that cheap, illegal tobacco is especially dangerous not just due to the toxins that could be present, but that they don't extinguish themselves - presenting a significant fire risk.
Read MoreThe Payment Systems Regulator has today (January 24th) confirmed the terms of reference for its Market Review into card payments, investigating whether retailers are being fairly treated by acquirers and payment facilitators such as WorldPay and Barclaycard.
In the Terms of Reference, the PSR cites concerns raised by stakeholders, including ACS, about the market not being fair. These include:
Read MoreACS has responded to the publication of the Office for National Statistics annual Crime Survey for England and Wales, urging retailers to report incidents of shop theft when they occur.
According to the ONS survey, which covers the whole of retail, the number of police recorded shop theft incidents for the year ending September 2018 decreased by 1% to 378,656 offences.
Read MoreLINK, the UK’s main cash machine network, has announced that cash machine operators are to be given “super premiums” from April, to help keep ATMs in remote areas open.
The new super premium will be paid by banks to ATM operators where cash machines are located in remote and less well-off parts of the country.
Read MoreACS has welcomed new commitments on tackling retail crime announced by Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins MP, and has urged Government to ensure that tackling shop theft is included in their work to deal with violent crime.
In a letter to MPs and organisations (including ACS) who attended a ministerial roundtable meeting on retail crime on December 11th, Home Office Minister Victoria Atkins MP has set out a number of commitments to address the issue of violence and abuse against retailers.
Read MoreACS is reminding retailers to ensure that they are providing all of the necessary information about allergens in the food that they sell.
ACS Assured Advice on food safety and hygiene includes details on how to protect customers from allergic reactions to food. There are 14 allergens covered by the law, which are:
Read MoreBook your place at the ACS Technology Showcase 2019, taking place on February 5th in Manchester.
This popular event brings the best UK convenience retailers together to hear exclusive insights into new and innovative developments in technology which retailers can use in their stores to improve their customers’ shopping experience and help with the day to day running of the store.
Suppliers also have the chance to exhibit their exciting innovations to retailers.
Read MoreACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved with GroceryAid’s first awareness day, taking place on 26th February.
This annual event aims to ensure that colleagues working in the grocery industry know that they have a place to turn to if they are in need of help and support.
GroceryAid is a national charity offering emotional, financial and practical advice and support on a range of issues for all grocery colleagues and their immediate families.
Read MoreThe Welsh Government have published a new consultation, considering a range of proposals to encourage people to change their eating habits and be more active, including a ban on energy drinks to customers under the age of 16.
Other measures proposed in the ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Wales’ consultation published today (January 17th) include:
Read MoreThe Plunkett Foundation, a national charity focusing on rural communities, is celebrating 100 years of supporting community business.
The charity was established in 1919 by Sir Horace Plunkett, with the purpose of promoting a model of community ownership as a solution to rural problems.
To mark the centenary, Plunkett will be holding a series of events throughout 2019 and launching enhanced services and new collaborations across the sector.
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