News

The new polymer £50 note has entered circulation today (Wednesday 23^rd June), featuring the scientist Alan Turing.

ACS is urging retailers to ensure that they aware of the notes’ security features as it begins to be used by customers.

The polymer £50 note contains advanced security features, including:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on MPs to back an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill that would make assaulting a retail worker a specific offence.

Content supplied by ACS Connect member EnergyBillKill.

Is Net Zero Good for my Business?

Yes, Net Zero is good for your business because sustainable use of energy can start saving your business money. You do not need to be a tree hugger, being a commercially savvy business is sufficient.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling for a cautious approach to increasing the National Living Wage (NLW) and other statutory minimum wage rates in 2022/23 to allow the labour market and economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Informed by ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021, ACS’ submission recommends that the Low Pay Commission (LPC) should consider extending the timetable for NLW reaching two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, which is currently projected to be £10.33.

Findings from ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2021 show that:

Pop into your local town centre, or look online, and you’ll see countless adverts for jobs in hospitality. Pubs, hotels and restaurants are facing acute staff shortages with the continuation of the furlough scheme until September, the loss of some potential workers from the EU who may feel less able or inclined to come to work in post-Brexit Britain, and the additional time lags and hassle brought about by Covid testing regimes. All this adds up to another blow to hospitality which is of course at the sharp end of the pandemic in any case.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is urging retailers to ensure that they are prepared for the introduction of the new polymer £50 and are aware of its security features.

The polymer £50 note contains advanced security features, including:

Content supplied by Suntory Beverage & Food: 

UK’s biggest sports drink brand  to save 3,500 tonnes of new plastic from being made with major sustainability changes

Suntory Beverage and Food Great Britain & Ireland (SBF GB&I) is investing £6M to support the recycling of its bottles by renovating the packaging of its Lucozade brand.

ACS’ Virtual Study Tour is now available on the member portal!

The Virtual Study Tour is an opportunity to be shown around a diverse range of stores across the country followed by a discussion and Q&A session with the retailers to hear about their business. 

The June 2021 Study Tour featured three fantastic retailers talking about their stores with the ACS team, followed by a panel session discussing what they learned about each others' businesses, and what both retailers and suppliers can take away from the tour. 

Taking place between 14^th - 18^th June, Loneliness Awareness Week aims to encourage people to continue to reach out and support those who may be feeling lonely, even as lockdowns lift and to reinforce the importance of social connections.

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that mandatory calorie labelling will be introduced for large businesses in the out-of-home food and drink sector.  

DHSC have responded to its consultation on requiring businesses in the out-of-home sector (any outlet where food and drink is prepared for immediate consumption by the person who buys it) to include mandatory calorie labelling, announcing that the measures will be introduced for businesses with more than 250 employees.