Industry demands ‘immediate action’ from May on business
Industry figures are calling for new Prime Minister Theresa May to take “immediate action” to ensure small businesses are looked after following the Brexit vote. Mike Cherry, national chairman at the...
View ArticleMay’s new Government must regulate the energy broker market to protect shops
As the new Government takes shape under the leadership of Prime Minister Theresa May, we are beginning to learn what priorities each department will have going forward. One of the biggest shake-ups...
View ArticleLabour hopeful criticised over ‘radical’ living wage pledge
Labour leadership contender Owen Smith is facing backlash from the convenience sector, after pledging to raise the national living wage for all adults in the UK. Under the current Government, only...
View ArticleTories refuse to reconsider national living wage hike plans
The Government has refused to reconsider hikes in the national living wage, ignoring small businesses’ concerns just days after pledging to “listen to small firms”. James Lowman, ACS chief executive,...
View ArticleBe heard on the impact of the living wage
As the UK economy settles down after the Brexit vote, businesses that employ staff in the retail sector are coming to terms with the more immediate impact that the introduction of the national living...
View Article£400m growth in convenience last year
Retailers diversifying to offer more services such as local grocery delivery, in-store bakery and key cutting has helped the convenience sector grow by more than £400m in the last year. According to...
View ArticleNew community engagement guide helps you get your voice heard
The ACS has produced a Local Engagement Guide, designed to help retailers make sure their voice is heard by local decision makers. The guide offers assistance in identifying who are the most important...
View ArticleDo you put yourself at the heart of your community?
At the ACS Heart of the Community event last week, we were reminded of just how important it is for convenience stores to integrate their business in the local area. Speaking at the event were two...
View ArticleThe plastic bag tax is a great idea, but a bottle deposit scheme is impractical
Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the introduction of the 5p charge for carrier bags in England, with campaigners hailing the charge as a success after bag usage fell by more than six...
View ArticleThe future is full of opportunity
The future has always been full of opportunities and challenges. The result of the UK’s referendum on leaving the EU brings a lot of unknowns just like any other event. Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty...
View ArticleHelp us put your store’s issues to the Government, says ACS chief
One of ACS’ ongoing political activities is the organisation of store visits with MPs, so they can hear from retailers in their constituency about the pressures facing their business, as well as good...
View ArticleProposals to simplify tariff for playing music in store ‘could be damaging’,...
New proposals to simplify the PRS tariff could result in retailers being hit with a higher charge for playing music in store. The PRS for Music consultation suggested increasing the tariff for...
View ArticleRecord amount invested in convenience stores despite cost burdens
Retailers invested record amounts in their businesses over the past three months, despite facing increasing costs in 2017. During the past quarter, convenience retailers invested almost £300m in their...
View ArticleRetailers insured by Gable should urgently seek new insurance policy
Retailers previously insured by Gable Insurance have been warned to urgently seek policy coverage to prevent flouting employment law. The Liechtenstein-based operator was formally put into liquidation...
View ArticleGovernment warned it needs to do more to secure the future of rural shops
Rural retailers need more support to continue to provide essential services to customers, the Association of Convenience Stores has warned. To coincide with the launch of the association’s Rural Shop...
View ArticleRural Shop Report: ‘They provide a crucial service and must be supported’
Today, we launched the first edition of our Rural Shop Report, highlighting the essential service that the UK’s more than 19,000 rural shops provide to customers across the UK and the unique challenges...
View ArticleACS: As business rates laws change, convenience stores need protection
ACS CEO James Lowman provided evidence to the Public Bill Committee hearing on the Local Government Finance Bill to protect convenience stores when business rates laws change. All councils will have...
View Article‘Make business rates fairer’, retailers demand as Budget day approaches
Independent convenience retailers have demanded that the Government takes action on March 8 to lessen the devastating impact of sweeping business rate rises due to come in next month. Retailers and...
View ArticleTrade bodies demand digital tax timeframe extension
The NFRN and ACS have called for the Government’s timeframes on its Making Tax Digital proposal to be extended. HMRC wants most businesses to do quarterly income tax updates and national insurance...
View ArticleEmployers named and shamed for failing to pay minimum wage
More than 350 employers – including a handful of convenience stores – have been named and shamed by the Department for Business for failing to pay staff the minimum wage. In all, the employers will...
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