News

New polling from the Association of Convenience Stores has revealed that 7 out of 10 consumers would prefer to see investment in their local neighbourhood, compared to just 3 out of 10 who would prefer investment in their nearest town or city centre.

The polling, commissioned as part of ACS’ 2022 Community Barometer report, also revealed that support for existing local businesses would be the top investment priority for consumers, followed by better community policing, and support for new businesses locally.

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 (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the CMA’s detailed market study into fuel pricing, highlighting the competitive nature of fuel pricing and the limited impact that retailers can have on the overall fuel price.

The market study follows a review ordered by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in June, which was requested after the price of petrol and diesel increased by over 60p in the previous 12 months.

The market study is focusing on what the CMA sees as the two main factors affecting the increase in the fuel price:

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:

I follow discussions about diversity and inclusion with great interest. This is firstly because I think it’s pretty fundamental that everyone is treated fairly and with respect in any context, yet it’s also depressingly evident that this isn’t always the case and that many people have to contend with barriers and challenges that able-bodied white heterosexual men like me don’t have to think about and are probably still largely unaware of. Anyone in a leadership position should think about these issues and should expect to be challenged to act to promote diversity and inclusion.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has highlighted the importance of transitional arrangements in advance of the business rates revaluation due in 2023 in a submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

In the submission, ACS makes a number of recommendations including:

The Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee has published a report on the impact of the cost of living crisis on businesses and communities across Wales.

ACS gave oral evidence to the Committee, which has been cited in the report, highlighting the need for the Welsh Government to provide support to local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need.

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:

The Association of Convenience Stores is delighted to announce the appointment of three new directors to its board - Darren Nickels (Henderson Technology), Susan Connolly (Trading Director, Connolly SPAR) and Rob George (McColls).

ACS has responded to the latest ONS crime statistics for England and Wales, highlighting the need for local action to tackle shop theft.

The new ONS data for police recorded crime, sourced to the Home Office, shows that there were 274,999 incidents of shop theft in the year ending March 2022, a 21% increase on the year ending March 2021.