News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation from the House of Lords Rural Economy Committee, seeking views about how Government policy could strengthen rural businesses and communities.

There are over 19,000 rural convenience stores in mainland UK, offering vital services to their local community such as free-to-use cash machines (44%), bill payment services (54%) and recycling services (40%).

New figures released today by LINK, the body that oversees the ATM network, has shown that there has been a 2% decline (1,300 ATMs) in the free-to-use ATM network. 

Between February and the start of July 2018, the number of free-to-use ATMs reduced from 54,500 to 53,200.

The 2018 Local Shop Report has revealed that convenience retailers are countering cost increases in their business by investing in services, opening for longer and employing more people on flexible part time contracts.

Over the last year, there has been an increase in the average number of people working in stores, with the sector overall now employing almost 365,000 people, although this has been coupled with a move to colleagues working shorter hours.

Key findings from this year’s report include:

The following content was provided by ACS Club Member Fri-Jado: For more information about becoming a member please call 01252 515001. 

Uxbridge based provider of foodservice and food retailing solutions, Fri-Jado UK Limited, has installed food displays at a Costcutter store in Truro. The serve assisted counters were specified by equipment concept specialist, Aryzta Food Solutions, who designed a 20 sq m delicatessen and food to go department as part of a refurbishment of the convenience outlet.

Members of wholesale buying groups Landmark Wholesale and Today’s Group have voted for the groups to merge.

The member vote, which closed on 6 September 2018, will result in a larger group called Unitas Wholesale Ltd. Of those members who voted, 96% were in favour of the merger going ahead.

Bookings are now open for ACS’ unmissable political event, The Heart of the Community Conference 2018, which will offer retailers key insights into how the latest political agenda could impact their businesses.   

The conference has moved to a new venue at the heart of Westminster, 1 Birdcage Walk, taking place on 16th October, 12-6pm. The conference will bring together retailers from across the country to address the policy issues that really matter for the sector, focusing on tackling retail crime, acting on the environment and the future of work in the sector.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed plans set out in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland to introduce a Non-Domestic Rates Bill to implement recommendations from the Barclay Review.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed the Scottish Parliament today to announce the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland, setting out the legislative priorities for the Scottish Government in 2018/19.

We are just one week away from the 2018 Local Shop Report Launch, taking place on 11th September at the National Space Centre in Leicester. ACS’ flagship report will provide a detailed look at the convenience sector and the innovative services and features offered by stores to their local communities. 

ACS has welcomed comments from Prime Minister Theresa May indicating that the government plans to extend compulsory plastic bag charging to small stores. 

Under the current regulations, a 5p charge is levied on all single use plastic bags by businesses that have more than 250 employees in England. However, all businesses in Wales and Scotland are required to charge. 

In response to the government’s comments about the future of the plastic bag policy, ACS has also urged careful consultation on any increases to the amount levied on each single use bag. 

The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a consultation on proposals to end the sale of energy drinks to children.

The consultation proposes that a ban would apply to drinks (excluding tea and coffee) that contain more than 150mg of caffeine. Under existing labelling rules, drinks that fall into this category require a warning label saying: ‘High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.’