All ACS articles – Page 17
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Analysis
James Lowman: chief executive, ACS
As we kick off 2019 with the government still squarely focused on Brexit, it’s easy to forget that there are other domestic policies and interventions on the horizon. We’re especially interested in two areas where the government is looking to influence consumer behaviour through new legislation. Let’s start with plastic ...
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NewsACS welcomes proposal to extend plastic bag charge
Government plans to extend the single use plastic carrier bag charge to small retailers in England have been welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The Government’s consultation published on 27 December sets out plans to extend the charge to small retailers by 2020 and seeks views on increasing ...
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NewsACS welcomes London mayor’s new food strategy
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the Mayor of London’s new Food Strategy which sets out plans to ensure all Londoners have access to healthy and sustainable food. The new strategy recognises the role that convenience stores can play by increasing access to healthy foods in local communities ...
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NewsACS welcomes rates relief extension in Wales
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed an announcement from the Welsh Government, which has confirmed an extension to the high street rates relief scheme for 2019-20. Eligible businesses will receive up to £2,500 off their business rates bills, with properties with a rateable value up to £9,100 paying ...
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NewsACS welcomes guidance on business rates discounts
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the publication of new guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the details of how business rates discounts announced in this year’s Budget will be allocated. During the Budget on October 29, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced that businesses ...
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NewsACS calls for Making Tax Digital to be delayed by a year
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is calling on the government to delay Making Tax Digital (MTD) until 2020, following a report from the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub Committee. MTD is scheduled to change the way retailers submit their VAT return from April 2019, requiring them ...
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NewsACS welcomes inquiry into access to financial services
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the Treasury Select Committee’s decision to launch an inquiry into consumer access to financial services. It will seek evidence on the impact of reducing the number of free-to use ATMs and provision of Post Office services in areas where bank branches ...
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NewsACS calls for greater resources for police service
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged the Government to take action to ensure police forces are adequately resourced to deal with crime following publication of the Home Affairs Committee’s report into policing. ACS figures show that over three quarters of retailers are concerned about the response from police ...
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NewsACS calls for police to give greater focus on crime in stores
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has responded to the publication of the Office for National Statistics’ annual Crime Survey for England and Wales, highlighting the significant issues retailers and their staff face when dealing with shop theft. According to the ONS survey, the number of police recorded shop theft ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: chief executive, ACS
It’s hard to ignore the debate on plastics and the environmental impact of the bottles and bags that are too often discarded into the countryside, waterways and oceans. One of my rules in working out how ACS should address policy challenges is to ask ’Is this a real issue, are ...
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NewsACS criticises Scottish plans to restrict c-store promotions
The ACS has criticised proposals by the Scottish government to restrict promotions in convenience stores. The Scottish Government is consulting on restricting the in-store marketing and promotion of foods high in fat, sugar or salt. The consultation is part of the Diet and Healthy Weight Delivery Plan, and will inform ...
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NewsACS reiterates call for plastic bag levy to include small stores
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed comments from prime minister Theresa May indicating the government plans to extend compulsory plastic bag charging to small stores. Under the current regulations, a 5p charge is levied on all single use plastic bags by businesses that have more than 250 employees ...
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NewsACS welcomes comments on rates by Liberal Democrat leader
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed comments from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable MP on the need to reform the business rates system. Speaking ahead of the launch of a report on the future of business rates later this month, he outlined his support for a commercial ...
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NewsACS welcomes regulator’s review of card payment services
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the publication of terms of reference for a market review into the supply of card payment services from the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). The review will look at the fees that are charged to merchants (retailers) by acquirers such as WorldPay, Barclaycard ...
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NewsACS welcomes LINK decision to cancel ATM fee cut
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed a decision by LINK to cancel an interchange fee cut expected in 2020 and review future reductions. The first reduction in interchange fees enforced by LINK of 5% (equivalent to 1.25p per transaction) took effect on 1 July, with the second 5% ...
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NewsACS calls for transparency over affects of ATM fee cut
The Association of Convenience Store (ACS) has told MPs LINK should be transparent about the application of its Financial Inclusion Programme, and the impact of its interchange fee cut on rural ATMs. It was giving evidence in Parliament to an inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group, chaired ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: chief executive, ACS
In recent weeks, the Centre for Social Justice has published a report called Desperate for a Fix, focusing on tackling retail crime and calling for fresh thinking at a national and local level to find policies that can address the increases in theft and other crime that retailers have experienced ...
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NewsACS supports recycling pilot for on-the-go food packaging
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is supporting a new pilot scheme to improve recycling rates of food and drink packaging on-the-go. #LeedsByExample is a campaign launched by environmental behaviour change charity Hubbub and recycling compliance scheme Ecosurety. The campaign aims to improve recycling rates on the street, in local ...
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NewsACS slams LINK as it presses ahead with ATM fee cut
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has condemned LINK’s decision to press ahead with reductions in interchange fees for cash machine operators, despite widespread opposition because of concerns that cash machines in rural and isolated communities could be lost as a result of the changes. LINK confirmed in January this ...
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NewsACS calls for targeted action to reduce impact of illicit trade
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has renewed its calls for targeted action at a local level, to reduce the impact of the illicit trade on responsible retailers. Its call followed publication of HM Revenue and Customs’ report on the prevalence of non-duty paid alcohol and illicit tobacco in the ...