News

Save the date for ACS’ Heart of the Community 2022, ACS’ unmissable annual conference taking place at One Great George Street Westminster on 18th October.

This year’s conference will focus on two high priority areas: levelling up and sustainability and this will be explored through industry experts and prominent figures from across retail.

The keynote speaker for this year’s conference has been confirmed as Katy Balls, deputy political editor of the Spectator, who will be providing analysis of the current political landscape and how this affects convenience retailers.

ACS is supporting the launch of the Government’s new Help for Households campaign, highlighting the important role that the UK’s 47,000+ local shops play in helping customers to save and manage their money during the cost of living crisis.

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) is encouraging retailers to get involved with a campaign which aims to increase awareness of how vital our senses are to living life to the full, especially for people with complex disabilities.

Throughout July, national disability charity Sense is encouraging people to host a Sensational Tea Party – a bake sale/coffee morning with a sensory twist. The aim of these tea parties is to help communities reconnect, create conversation and break down barriers as well as raising vital funds to support people with complex disabilities

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

Today (14th July) ACS gave oral evidence to the Low Pay Commission (LPC) calling for cautious approach to future National Living Wage rates and consideration of the unique challenges facing employers at the current time.

During the evidence session, ACS chief executive James Lowman urged caution on further National Living Wage (NLW) increases, highlighting the unique and significant challenges faced by convenience retailers as a result of the cost of living crisis, increased energy and supply chain costs and other regulatory challenges.

The Cross Party Group on Small Shops has met to explore the Welsh Government’s retail vision and how small shops are contributing to the delivery of the strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales.

The meeting was chaired by Vikki Howells MS and attended by a number of MS’s and independent retail trade associations.

ACS’ Power, Mobility and Convenience Conference is now available on the Member Portal!

This year's Power, Mobility and Convenience Conference was chaired by ACS Communications Director Chris Noice and was split into two sessions: 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed a new Competition and Markets Authority review into the fuel market, which highlights the drivers of increased fuel costs.

The review, which was ordered in June by the Business Secretary, was requested after the price of petrol and diesel increased by over 60p in the last year.

New research from the Association of Convenience Stores has shown how consumers feel about their local shops and how important they see them in helping manage their money.

As the nation faces a cost of living crisis, consumers see local shops as part of the solution to manage their money. The UK’s 46,000+ convenience stores have a unique reach into every community, providing a lifeline for thousands of people every day and especially over the last two years during the pandemic.