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ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation launched by the Welsh Parliament’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee on reducing single-use plastics in Wales, calling for clarification on timescales for the proposals.

ACS has briefed MPs on the important role that local shops play in ensuring that their communities have access to healthy foods ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on the Healthy Start Scheme.

Healthy Start is a government scheme for those who are at least 10 weeks pregnant, parents, carers and young children in low-income families, to help them buy healthy food and milk and get free Healthy Start vitamins. It is a digital scheme that offers a prepaid card to those applying for Healthy Start instead of paper vouchers. 

We’re calling on retailers facing huge hikes in their energy bills to write to their MP, outlining the need for urgent action from Government.

Retailers can write to their MPs by putting their store postcode into our online tool here: ACS.org.uk/campaigns

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Book your free place at the launch of ACS’ 2022 Local Shop Report, taking place virtually at 10am – 12pm on 15th September.

This virtual launch event will explore the findings of this year's report and provide a comprehensive look at the stores, people and services within the convenience sector.

Confirmed speakers and panellists include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the Welsh Government consultation on introducing restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products highlighting the impact on retailers and need for a consistent regulatory approach across the UK.

The consultation looks at HFSS products in terms of placement, promotions and defining what products are impacted. The Welsh Government’s proposals are similar to those being introduced in England on HFSS products, but there are some key differences:

Entries are open for this year’s Raj Aggarwal Trophy, a trophy awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The trophy was first launched in 2021 to mark the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal.

Applications are welcome from any convenience store operator, independent retailers and managers of multiple-owned outlets and you can also nominate a retailer who you think is deserving of the award.

To enter, applicants must submit a short film (maximum 5 minutes), which will show:

ACS has written to the Chancellor, calling on the government to take emergency action to deal with the spiralling cost of energy which will cost convenience stores at least £2.5bn this year.

For an average small convenience store at around 1,000sq ft, energy costs have skyrocketed to over £45,000 a year, more than doubling for many retailers that have renewed their contracts in recent months. For larger stores around 3000 sq ft, these costs can be in excess of £100,000 a year.

Save the date for the launch of ACS’ 2022 Forecourt Report and Store Tour taking place on 13^th October in Hampshire.

This year’s event will see the launch of the 2022 Forecourt Report, showcasing the latest findings and developments in the sector followed by a tour of a diverse and innovative range of forecourts in the Hampshire area.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation reviewing the current law on selling in imperial and metric units, highlighting a number of issues that a move to dual pricing would have on businesses, consumers and the wider community.