Councillors and retailers disagree on shop priorities
Local councillors believe improving shopping area amenities and transport, and better use of planning permission are the best ways to help independent retailers and their communities. However,...
View ArticleFood Standards Agency to charge retailers for permit to trade
The Food Standards Agency has outlined its plans to make every food business pay a yearly fee for a permit. The programme would also extend food standards regulation such as inspections to all food...
View ArticleHow do locals rate your convenience store against your competition?
We hear about convenience stores operating at the ‘heart of the community’ a great deal – just go over recent issues of the trade press to find inspiring stories about retailers who play a crucial role...
View ArticleGove calls for a bottle deposit return scheme ASAP
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has called for a bottle return scheme to be introduced throughout the entire UK “as soon as possible”, adding that “change needs to come” on plastic waste. A report...
View ArticleCost pressures force a 5% fall in convenience jobs
The number of jobs in the convenience sector has fallen by 5% as rising costs continue to pile pressure on independent retailers. According to the 2017 Local Shop Report from the ACS, there are 370,000...
View ArticleTop independents boost staff as multiples slash jobs
Top independents have employed more staff in the past year while jobs have been slashed across multiple c-stores, a new report shows. The Local Shop Report, published by the Association of Convenience...
View ArticleSymbol groups to safeguard future of independent c-stores
Symbol groups have told RN how they are future-proofing independent retailing after a report showed 20,000 jobs were slashed across c-stores last year. Ian Taylor, Spar UK retail director, said the...
View ArticleACS Assured Advice Scheme gives retailers legal protection
A change in the law means ACS members who follow the organisation’s legal guides are now protected under an Assured Advice Scheme from prosecution across many common issues. Previously, retailers had...
View ArticleTobacco track and trace plans to “burden” retailers
New track and trace proposals on tobacco could have a ‘detrimental’ impact on the convenience sector, the ACS has warned. Under the new draft regulations, retailers would have to register and pay to...
View ArticleLabour and Tories point the finger on rates relief failures
Business rates relief took centre stage at the ACS’ Heart of the Community event near Parliament yesterday, with Labour and Conservative politicians addressing the ongoing issue. The event coincided...
View ArticleNational Business Crime Centre launched
The National Business Crime Centre has officially launched, pledging to improve co-operation between police forces and businesses in the fight against business crime. The London based police group said...
View ArticleRetail groups reveal Autumn Budget wish list
Trade groups including the ACS, FSB, SGF and TRA have individually listed their main priorities for the Autumn Budget set to be announced in late November. The budget is one of the biggest political...
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