All ACS articles – Page 29
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News
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 ...
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ACS disappointed over business rates
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has criticised the Chancellor’s failure to stop unpredictable business rates hikes in his Autumn Financial Statement. In recent months, ACS has been campaigning for the annual business rates increase to be capped at 2%, in line with the council tax cap and the Government’s ...
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ACS urges ministers to reconsider alcohol licensing and pricing proposals
Ministers are being urged by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) to reconsider proposed changes to alcohol licensing and pricing rules that it believes will have a disproportionate burden on small shops.ACS chief executive James Lowman said: "In the past five years, we haveseen a reduction in alcohol consumption, increased ...
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Convenience stores are focal point during the floods, says ACS
Convenience stores and village shops are open in the areas of the country affected by high winds and flooding overnight, according to the ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores), which has canvassed members and is reporting no significant problems with store closures or deliveries.ACS chief executive James Lowman said: ...
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ACS presses Government on rates data
ACS chief executive James Lowman has today given evidence to the Growth and Infrastructure Bill Committee, urging the Government to give more details on the impact of delaying business rates revaluation by two years.The Government has described the measure – to be introduced as part of the Growth and Infrastructure ...
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ACS welcomes forward step in campaign for fairer energy market
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced its intention to extend protections afforded to ‘micro businesses’ to thousands of additional small businesses, signalling a victory for a key part of the Association of Convenience Store’s ‘Switch to a Fair Energy Market’ campaign. The proposals set strict rules for the information that energy ...
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ACS urges caution over ban on card surcharges
ACS has welcomed government plans to ban above-cost card surcharges, but has warned about the burden on retailers if introduced early. As part of its submission to the Department for Business’ consultation on card surcharges, ACS has highlighted that small businesses would be disproportionately impacted by the early introduction ...
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ACS calls for action on business rates
Reacting to today’s announcement of the Retail Price Index for September 2012, ACS has called on the government to take action to lift the burden on retailers. The rate, announced today as 2.6%, remains higher than the government’s target of 2%. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Year-on-year ...
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ACS highlights community value of local shops to MPs
Every MP returning to Westminster today will, for the first time, be given comprehensive information about the economic and social value of local shops specific to their constituency. This initiative by the Association of Convenience Stores has been unveiled ahead of ACS’ Heart of the Community Conference taking place next ...
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ACS calls for freeze of minimum wage rate
Eighty two per cent of convenience retailers support a freeze in the national minimum wage rate with two thirds of local shops negatively impacted by increased employment costs, according to new findings from the ACS Minimum Wage Survey.The news has prompted the trade body to call on the Low Pay ...
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ACS welcomes government rethink on retailer compensation scheme
The Government have withdrawn plans that would have removed the right to compensation for many retailers and their staff that suffer minor injuries in incidents of violent crime.The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides victims of violent crime compensation in recognition of a sense of public sympathy for the pain and ...
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Keep Sunday Trading regs says ACS and PRA
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and Petrol Retailers’ Association (PRA) has called on the government to retain Sunday Trading regulations. The move follows comments made by Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles who suggested the government may review Sunday trading laws when the temporary relaxation of restrictions over ...
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Local shops among hardest working professionals in Britain, says ACS
Figures released from the upcoming ACS Local Shop Report have revealed that small shopkeepers are amongst the hardest working professionals in Britain, with most putting in more than 50 hours a week.The survey shows that 60% of the nation’s convenience store retailers work more than 50 hours in an average ...
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MPs rally in support of ACS Fair Energy campaign
Members of Parliament from all major parties have rallied together to call on the government to take action and stop unfair practices by energy companies.A dozen MPs have already spoken out in favour of the campaign. The latest MP to add her support, Liberal Democrat MP Lorely Burt, said: “Energy ...