Press Releases

With less than six weeks to go until the introduction of Making Tax Digital rules, only one in four convenience store retailers know what they need to do comply with the changes.

From 1^st April 2019, all businesses with a taxable turnover above the VAT threshold (currently £85,000) must keep their VAT records digitally and use Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible software to submit their VAT returns.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the findings of a new report published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on the future of high streets and town centres.

In three months (20th May 2019), the tobacco ‘track and trace’ regulations will come into effect. ACS has compiled what is known so far about the regulations and how retailers will be required to comply. This information is available on ACS’ website at: https://www.acs.org.uk/track-and-trace

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the publication of a new consultation from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, calling on the Government to ensure that a manually administered deposit return scheme does not form part of its plan to encourage people to recycle more.

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has criticised the Government for rejecting the recommendation of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee to delay the mandatory introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT by one year to April 2020. 

MTD reforms will require VAT registered businesses to submit their VAT records digitally using compatible software. The policy reforms aim to reduce the tax gap and help businesses have a more accurate overview of their tax affairs.

The Government have responded to the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on hand car washes, agreeing with recommendations to update pollution prevention guidance on the Gov.uk website, and writing to major supermarkets to remind them that hand car washes must have appropriate drainage to tackle pollution.

ACS has called on HMRC to publish details of the application process for tobacco track and trace codes as soon as possible, or else risk a backlog of applications and uncertainty about the supply of tobacco to retailers.

HMRC has this morning (30^th January) published limited details of what retailers will need to do to comply with the regulations once they come into force on 20^th May 2019, but have not included anything on how or when retailers can apply for the two codes necessary to be able to purchase tobacco.

Tickets are now available for Summit19, the definitive convenience event of the year.

Summit19 is an unmissable conference, bringing together leading figures in the convenience sector with industry experts from around the world to take part in a discussion about the opportunities for retailers and suppliers in convenience, both now and in the future. This year’s conference will address two critical questions facing the sector, in two business sessions:

ACS has welcomed calls from the Local Government Association to impose tougher sanctions on those caught selling illicit tobacco.  

The LGA, which represents councils in England and Wales, has called for bigger fines to be imposed on those who sell illicit tobacco products, raising concerns that cheap, illegal tobacco is especially dangerous not just due to the toxins that could be present, but that they don't extinguish themselves - presenting a significant fire risk. 

The Payment Systems Regulator has today (January 24^th) confirmed the terms of reference for its Market Review into card payments, investigating whether retailers are being fairly treated by acquirers and payment facilitators such as WorldPay and Barclaycard.

In the Terms of Reference, the PSR cites concerns raised by stakeholders, including ACS, about the market not being fair. These include: