News

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the upcoming changes to the tobacco track and trace system.

From Monday 13th June 2022, retailers should have received an email from Dentsu about the changes from the previous tobacco track system to De La Rue (DLR) over to the Dentsu system.

Retailers will also receive a second email between 20th June and 1st July 2022 and it is important that retailers do not delete this email, as this registers businesses on the live system.

The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales, outlining the challenges faced by retail businesses in Wales.

The shared strategic vision for the retail sector sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in partnership to ensure that the retail sector has a bright and sustainable future in Wales.

The vision identifies key areas where action is needed, these include:

Entries are now 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 promote the digital Healthy Start scheme in stores. 

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. 

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the upcoming changes to the tobacco track and trace system.

From Monday 13th June 2022, retailers may receive an email from Dentsu about the changes from the previous tobacco track system to De La Rue (DLR) over to the Dentsu system.

Retailers will also receive a second email between 20^th June and 1^st July 2022 and it is important that retailers do not delete this email, as this registers businesses on the live system.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is encouraging retailers to get involved in this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week (13^th – 17^th June), highlighting the vital role that local shops play in alleviating loneliness in their communities.

Loneliness Awareness Week is an annual event hosted by Marmalade Trust, aiming to reduce the stigma around loneliness and encourage people to talk more openly about it.

ACS is delighted to announce more details for this year’s Power, Mobility and Convenience Conference.

This year’s conference, taking place online on 5th July from 10:00am, will explore how the UK’s 7,000+ forecourts can adapt and change in the future on the road to Net Zero, as well as looking at new and emerging store formats. With the growth of the electric vehicle market challenging the traditional forecourt model, more retailers are looking to innovate to stay relevant to a demanding modern consumer.

The Welsh Government has today (9^th June) launched two consultations as part of its ambition to tackle obesity in Wales, setting out proposals to restrict HFSS products in stores and introducing a minimum age of sale of 16 for energy drinks.

ACS has responded to the publication of an independent review into smoking in England, raising concerns about the impact of a recommendation to raise the minimum age of sale by one year every year until no-one can legally access tobacco products. ACS has welcomed proposals for more funding to tackle the illicit tobacco market.

Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) has reported significant reductions in children’s drinking and anti-social behaviour in areas where its local partnership schemes operate.

CAP partnerships are made up of retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, who work together to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of young people and improve the communities where they live. There are currently over 250 schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.