All ACS articles – Page 24
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News
ACS calls for stiffer sanctions for illicit tobacco
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on HM Revenue and Customs to impose stricter sanctions on retailers who are found to be selling illicit tobacco. Responding to the government’s consultation on sanctions to tackle illegal tobacco, ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The illicit tobacco market costs ...
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News
ACS publishes health and safety guidance
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has produced a comprehensive Assured Advice guide for ‘Managing Health and Safety’. It contains an overview of the risks and hazards a store will face on a day-to-day basis. Health and Safety can refer to anything which could potentially cause an accident in ...
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News
ACS report highlights value of high streets
New research released by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has revealed how the public, retailers and local councillors feel about their high streets. The Community Barometer shows that convenience stores and post offices were seen to be the services which had the most positive impact on their local community, ...
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News
ACS steps up fight on Living Wage
ACS is calling on retailers to respond its National Living Wage survey 2016 to inform the convenience sector’s response to the Low Pay Commission’s call for evidence on minimum wage and the new living rates. The chancellor, George Osborne, announced that from April next year, a new living wage of ...
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News
ACS claims case for Sunday Trading is flawed
Figures released by Government as part of a consultation on changes to Sunday Trading regulations have been dismissed as out of date and misleading, by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). In the consultation, Government uses the following statistics to justify its decision: Benefits equivalent to £1.4bn a year: ...
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News
ACS launches guidance on customers with disabilities
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has today launched new guidance for retailers on how to meet the needs of customers with disabilities. The guide has been developed in partnership with the Business Disability Forum, and covers a range of issues including wheelchair access, how to assist blind or visually ...
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Analysis
James Lowman - ACS Chief executive
Business rates are one of the biggest cost burdens on retailers, and while the government’s review of the system is a great opportunity, there will be winners and losers. It’s our job to explain why local shops should be net beneficiaries of the review. How do we think we can ...
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News
Living wage risks thousands of store closures says ACS
The future survival of thousands of convenience stores will be jeopardised by the introduction of the national living wage in April 2016, according to The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). New research by ACS shows that: the total cost of a £7.20 national living wage will be ...
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News
ACS opposes Sunday Trading proposals
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has heavily criticised plans introduced in the Budget to allow local authorities to decide whether to remove Sunday Trading rules. During today’s Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that the Government will seek to devolve powers to change Sunday Trading rules to local authorities as part ...
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News
Living wage plan slammed by ACS
The Government’s decision to introduce a mandatory living wage for workers over 25 has been described as “a reckless measure that will have a significant negative impact on the sector”, by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of a compulsory ‘Living ...
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News
ACS opposes Welsh bag Bill
Local shops in Wales have raised concerns over proposals in the Environment (Wales) Bill that would see new regulations introduced on carrier bags and waste disposal.The Bill puts forward the following proposals: increase the scope of the carrier bag charging regulations to allow Welsh ministers to impose a mandatory charge ...
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News
ACS opposes Welsh bag Bill
Local shops in Wales have raised concerns over proposals in the Environment (Wales) Bill that would see new regulations introduced on carrier bags and waste disposal. The Bill puts forward the following proposals: increase the scope of the carrier bag charging regulations to allow Welsh ministers to impose a ...
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News
SGF and ACS oppose bottle return proposal
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have submitted a joint response opposing proposals for a bottle return scheme in Scotland. They were responding to a call for evidence from Scottish environment agency Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) on the feasibility of implementing a deposit and ...
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News
ACS calls for fairer business rates for forecourts
Fairer valuations for forecourts are one of the key issues highlighted by the Association of Convenience Stores in a package of receommendations to Government, aimed at fundamental business rate reform.In its submission it says the business rates system should be fairer to help small businesses, and highlights the inherent issues ...
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News
PRA and ACS make submissions ahead of Budget
The PRA and Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have both highlighted retailers’ concerns in submissions to the Chancellor, ahead of his Budget on July 8. PRA chairman Brian Madderson called for a 2ppl cut in fuel duty, suggesting that income from increased road fuel volumes would help to pay ...
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News
ACS maps out future for forecourts
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman has set out the challenges facing forecourts during the next parliament at today’s 2015 Forecourt Seminar, focusing on business rates and the continuing localism agenda as key priorities in the coming months. Speaking at the event in Birmingham, Lowman said: ...
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News
ACS highlights local shops to new MPs
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is this week sending constituency cards to all new MPs, detailing key information about the number of local shops in their area and the jobs that they create. The 2015 General Election resulted in over 100 new MPs entering the Houses of Parliament, ...
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News
ACS steps up guidance on tobacco display ban
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is encouraging retailers to follow Assured Advice on the tobacco display ban to ensure compliance with the regulations. By signing up to Assured Advice, which is free of charge for ACS members, retailers cannot be challenged by local enforcement agencies if they are following ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: ACS Chief executive
The Chancellor has delivered his final Budget of the parliament ahead of the election in May. One of the headlines grabbing a lot of attention was the announcement of 1p off a pint, reductions in other alcohol duties and a freeze in wine duty. This is good news for an ...
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News
ACS criticises size of minimum wage increase
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has criticised the Government’s above inflation 3% increase in the adult national minimum wage to £6.70, warning it will have have a negative impact on staffing and investment levels in the convenience sector. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are disappointed with the ...