News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of new restrictions aimed at helping to slow the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) which will be introduced in the coming days.

From Thursday, all colleagues working in retail will have to wear a face covering. Other measures announced in the statement to Parliament today include:

Since the start of the Covid crisis my colleagues and I at ACS have not just been working to help members to deal with the immediate challenges they’ve been facing, we’ve also been leading a discussion about what we can all learn from this experience. Which of the behaviours we’ve seen over this period will last, which are specific to this time? What would we do differently if we had our time again or if the same issues emerged again?

ACS has submitted evidence to the Government’s first consultation on a fundamental review of the business rates system, detailing the how rate reliefs have enabled convenience retailers to invest in their stores and continue to provide essential services in local communities.

Entries are now open for ACS’ Innovation Showcase, taking place virtually on 25^th November.

ACS’ Innovation Showcase is the unique chance for retailers and suppliers to come together to explore the latest products and services set to transform the sector.

Suppliers can enter for a chance to demonstrate their product to a group of the UK’s leading convenience retailers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the extension of the ban on business evictions to the end of the year, as announced by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick.

The initial ban on evictions was introduced at the start of the pandemic to protect struggling firms, such as restaurants and retailers, from being evicted to the premises and was due to expire at the end of September.

Book your place at the convenience and local shop sector’s pre-eminent political event, the ACS Heart of the Community conference!

This year’s conference will take place virtually on 13th October, bringing together convenience retailers, industry experts and senior policy makers to explore how the latest political agenda and legacy of Covid-19 will impact convenience store businesses now and into the future.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has submitted evidence to the Sentencing Council’s consultation on revised guidelines for assault offences, calling for sentencing guidelines to do more to address violence against shopworkers, and for penalties to better reflect both the physical and psychological impact on victims.

The NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app is due to be launched on 24^th September as part of the coronavirus testing and contact tracing programmes in England and Wales.

The app will be used, alongside traditional methods of contact tracing, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus by notifying users when they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus and providing them with advice on what to do next.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding Summit20 attendees about its upcoming virtual Summit Masterclass Series.

Attendees of Summit20, have exclusive access to the Summit Masterclass Series; four interactive sessions with leading retailers on a range of issues including: local products, plastic packaging, branding and tailoring your retail offer.  

The first session will take place on Wednesday 16^th September at 2:00 pm and will focus on:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee on the implications of Covid-19 on tax policy.

The House of Commons Treasury Select Committee launched an inquiry calling for views on whether the Government’s economic response to the pandemic should be reflected in changes to taxation.