Press Releases

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding convenience retailers to ensure that they are aware of the rules and guidelines that apply to the sale and storage of fireworks.

Retailers must apply for permission to store fireworks from their local trading standards service or fire authority. If permission to store fireworks is granted, then fireworks can be sold within the following dates:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has announced the finalists of the Raj Aggarwal Award, a new trophy marking the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal.

The trophy will be awarded to retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The finalists are:

In its’ submission to the Autumn Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Government to introduce tax reform measures that will help convenience retailers invest in the future of their business, including the extension of 100% business rate relief to all businesses with a rateable value of under £51,000.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is reminding retailers about the new allergen law that comes into force today.

From 1st October, any food that is prepared on site and pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) must be labelled with the name of the food and a full ingredients list. 

Foods that are pre-packed for direct sale are packaged at the same place that they are offered for sale or sold to customers.

Examples of PPDS foods include:

ACS has welcomed a new consultation launched today by the Government on enhancing flexible working rights and making the right to request flexible working, a day one right.

Convenience stores provide local, secure and flexible employment to 392,000 people across the country, 64% of whom have childcare or family commitments that need to flex around their work.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has signed an open letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak alongside a group of organisations collectively representing hundreds of thousands of small businesses, millions of consumers to take urgent action to protect access to cash.

Key recommendations from the letter include:

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched new posters to help retailers communicate national vaccination policies to their colleagues. The posters can be used by retailers to encourage colleagues to take up their opportunity to have their flu and Covid-19 vaccinations.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Convenience retailers have worked tirelessly to ensure that they can continue to serve their communities while keeping their staff and customers safe.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has briefed Peers ahead of the Second Reading of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC) in the House of Lords, calling for the Government to consider amendments which would introduce tougher sentencing to address attacks against shopworkers.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to a consultation from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) on its five-year strategy, calling for the regulator to prioritise reducing the cost of anti-competitive and opaque card scheme fees.  

The draft strategy identifies four key priorities:

Local shops have welcomed the Government’s decision to allow 16 and 17 year olds to continue selling lottery products, when approved by someone over the age of 18, from October this year.

The Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale, has confirmed the introduction an approved sales system for National Lottery Products following a short consultation in July and August.