All ACS articles – Page 28
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News
ACS publishes study of sector
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has published a comprehensive report detailing the local shop sector and the support they provide to their communities. The 2013 Local Shop Report shows the local shop sector is growing – there are now 49,888 convenience stores in mainland UK, making up a sector ...
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Top indies share best practice at ACS seminar
Top 50 indies Patrick Sewell of Sewell Retail and Jeremy Clarke of Motor Fuel Group shared their philosophies on running a petrol retail business at the annual Forecourt Seminar organised by the Association of Convenience Stores and Petrol Retailers Association.Record numbers attended the event at the King Power Stadium in ...
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SGF and ACS call for superstore restrictions
The Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) and the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have called for tighter restrictions on out-of-town supermarkets that prevent investment in high streets and neighbourhood centres in Scotland. The organisations made a joint submission to the consultation on a new Planning Policy for Scotland. SGF chief executive ...
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ACS welcomes EU card charge action
An EU proposal that should cut the cost of credit and debit card payments for retailers has been welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The EU intends to limit the ‘interchange fees’ charged by banks to card providers such as Visa and Mastercard to 0.2% on debit card ...
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ACS & PRA co-host July 4 forecourt seminar
Essential insights into the most effective ways for fuel retailers to succeed in a competitive market will be the prevailing theme at this year’s Forecourt Seminar, which takes place on July 4 at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. The event is co-hosted by the Association of Convenience Stores and ...
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ACS urges clarity on proposed changes to shop theft law
Ministers are being urged by the Association of Convenience Stores to explain to MPs how proposals contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Policing and Crime Bill will not lead to fewer prosecutions of shop theft offences. The Bill, which will be debated by MPs for the first time today, contains a ...
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ACS welcomes Queen’s Speech proposals
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has responded to the Queen’s Speech, pledging to continue working closely with Government on legislation that will affect local shops in the coming year. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome the focus on delivering growth and reducing burdens on everyday entrepreneurs like ...
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ACS welcomes E.On’s backbilling pledge
The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed energy company E.On’s announcement that it will be reducing its backbilling limits for all small businesses to 12 months, effective this week. According to E.On’s own research, 76% of businesses believe the process of back-billing for past consumption should be restricted to a ...
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ACS calls for fair roadworks compensation
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called for retailers to be provided with proper compensation when negatively impacted by roadworks. In an interview with BBC Radio York, ACS chief executive James Lowman called on local councils and utility companies to minimise the impact of roadworks outside stores. He said: ...
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National Minimum Wage increase attacked by ACS
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has criticised the Government’s decision to Increase the National Minimum Wage from October 1. The Government announced that the adult rate for national minimum wage will increase by 1.9% from £6.19 to £6.31 per hour, and the youth development rate for 16-17 year olds ...
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ACS call for action on anti-social behaviour
Tackling anti-social behaviour requires more partnership working, the chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores has told an audience of local authority and police representatives. Speaking at a Westminster Briefing event, Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour: New Powers for a New Approach, James Lowman told the conference: “Local authorities have to ...
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ACS welcomes plan to tackle rogue brokers
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed proposals to tackle misleading marketing by brokers toward business customers, in a submission to the energy regulator Ofgem, Ofgem has asked Government for the powers to take action against brokers or third party intermediaries (TPIs) that mis-sell to businesses by marketing energy ...
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ACS welcomes inquiry into retail sector
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed news that MPs are launching an inquiry into the UK retail sector. The Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee has invited evidence on what the Government can do to support the retail sector. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome this ...
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ACS issues guidance on displaying ’lads mags’
A minister has praised guidance published by the Association of Convenience Store on how to display men’s lifestyle magazines. The guidance has been published as part of acommitment by ACS to deliver on the Prime Minister’s challenge to reduce the exposure of children to sexualised imagery. James Lowman said: “Parents ...
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ACS calls for rates change
The Association of Convenience Stores has called for an overhaul of business rates increases after the results of its latest survey revealed the destructive impact that unpredictable rate hikes are having on local shops. The quarterly Voice of Local Shops survey, which tracks the sales and confidence of small stores, has shown that the impending increase in business rates is more of a concern now than it has been at any point since the start of 2012. Forty five per cent of retailers in the last survey cited business rates as a major obstacle to success for their store – more than those concerned about crime, taxation and obtaining finance combined. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “If the Government wants to have a long-term positive impact on small businesses across the UK, they must cap the rates increase at 2% - bringing it in line with the council tax cap and the Government’s own targets for inflation. Allowing these unpredictable hikes to continue will send a clear message that the Chancellor has failed to recognise the importance of the retail economy.” When asked what they most wanted from the Chancellor’s Budget, convenience store retailers called for a reduction in the annual business rates increase, but also for action to reduce the level of VAT, currently set at 20%. The survey also revealed that 47% of stores have seen a decrease in profits over the last quarter, with 32% claiming that they have had to cut the number of staff hours in their business.
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ACS calls for fairer energy market
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged the government’s energy regulator Ofgem to apply the same priority to delivering a fairer energy market for small businesses as it does households, as it announces sweeping changes to domestic energy contracts.ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We applaud the commitment being shown by ministers and Ofgem to delivering a fairer more competitive energy market. We urge the Government to extend this urgency and commitment to the reform of the non-domestic market.“Ofgem’s proposals for protecting micro-businesses must be extended to all small businesses. ACS has campaigned for, and been promised, measures including strict rules on the information suppliers must provide to business customers about contract terms and limits on companies blocking retailers switching to new providers. These are needed just as urgently as changes in the household energy market.“We will continue to press for action until retailers see a real change in the way they are treated in the energy market.”Ofgem’s proposals for reform of the household market were announced on Thursday February 21 and were welcomed by the government with Prime Minister David Cameron commenting: “The package announced today is a huge step towards energy bills that are more fair for everyone.”
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ACS raises concern over pricing Bill
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned that proposals to require supermarkets to release detailed pricing data could harm local shops.The proposals made by Labour MP John Denham would require the 10 largest retailers in the UK to make available real time data about products and prices in every ...
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ACS renews ties with Crimestoppers
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers have extending their partnership this week.The two organisations have been working together since 2010 and have worked on a number of projects together, primarily on trying to support law enforcement with appeals for information on incidents that have occurred ...
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ACS calls for clarity over draft Bill
The Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry on the Government’s draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill.ACS has called for clarity for the reporting mechanism under the community trigger and greater consultation with businesses on sanctions for anti-social behaviour.The draft Bill is being scrutinised by ...
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ACS calls for action over roadworks
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is calling for better control over roadworks because of the damage they can cause to local retailers. The call came after the publication of a report by the Local Government Association (LGA) demonstrating the harm that roadworks and street closures can cause. According to ...