Press Releases

ACS has strongly welcomed new guidance published by the Scottish Government which takes an important step toward the introduction of a workable and cost effective Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland.

The new guidance, published today (November 4^th) makes the process of applying for an exemption from the regulations much less complex. While this does not change the eligibility criteria for an exemption itself, it does provide the following important features:

Today (27^th October) the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) has launched a series of training videos which have been developed to support and protect colleagues working in the retail sector.

200 retailers gathered in Westminster on Tuesday (October 18^th) to hear from policymakers, political commentators, and local decision makers about how the convenience sector can respond to the challenges it faces on levelling up and sustainability.

The 2022 Forecourt Report, published today by the Association of Convenience Stores, has revealed the work that the UK’s 8,379 forecourts are doing to provide essential products and services to customers, and the investment that is going into making their businesses more energy efficient in the face of rising costs.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the Chancellor’s measures to stimulate growth and cut taxes in the short term, calling for longer term support on energy costs.

Measures announced by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng MP in today’s mini-Budget include:

The Welsh Government has introduced a Bill which bans or restricts the sale of some of the most commonly littered single-use plastics in Wales, including a ban on plastic bags which are currently subject to a 5p charge.

ACS has called on the government to introduce a targeted package of measures to support the UK’s 48,000+ local shops.

Ahead of the planned fiscal event, or ‘mini-Budget’, on Friday September 23rd, ACS has called for the following measures to support retailers:

The 2022 Local Shop Report has revealed the enormous contribution that convenience stores in the UK make to people’s lives, not just as essential grocery businesses, but as job creators, community hubs and beacons of entrepreneurship.

This year’s report highlights the decisions being made in the UK’s 48,590 convenience stores in areas like investment, staffing, product mix, technology and service offerings, and delivery.

Today (8^th September) new Prime Minister Liz Truss announced the much-anticipated support plan to help households and businesses cope with spiralling energy costs.

Speaking to the House of Commons, Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “I recognise that people are struggling with their energy bills and that is why I have brought forward this debate as soon as possible to give people reassurance before this winter that energy bills will be affordable.”

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation launched by the Welsh Parliament’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee on reducing single-use plastics in Wales, calling for clarification on timescales for the proposals.