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ACS is the campaigning voice of over 33,500 local shops. As the convenience store champion ACS supports its members through lobbying, advice on legislation and issues that affect retailers, and through learning and networking events.
Membership of ACS comprises both retailers and suppliers, and the organisation prides itself on its ability to garner information and knowledge from the sector as a whole. This is then used to provide insight and practical help to benefit all members.
The core purpose of ACS is to lobby and champion the convenience store channel through strong leadership and good communication. ACS complements this by providing a range of services designed specifically for local shops to help them develop their businesses. The organisation also has a dedicated News arm, the Association of News Retailing (ANR), focused exclusively on the news industry.
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Local Shops Call for Minimum Wage Freeze
Two in five convenience stores have laid off or not replaced staff in the past year because of pressure of employment and business costs, reports ACS as it calls on the Low Pay Commission to recommend a freeze in National Minimum Wage after 1st October 2010.
As part of its submission to the Commission made today, ACS surveyed members to understand the impact of recent National Minimum wage increase and other business pressures. The survey was representative of 500 convenience stores and 10,000 employees in the sector. It found… Read More »
ACS Warns EU of Dangers of Meddling with UK Planning Law
Local shops have warned the EU Commission against unnecessary meddling in national planning laws in a submission to the Directorate General for the Internal Market.
The Commission, which is planning to publish a Communication on Relaunching the Internal Market, has been looking at the performance of retail across the UK. One of the issues under consideration is the impact of commercial planning laws and their subsequent impact on entry and investment in retail stores.
ACS’ submission explains the importance and… Read More »
Alcohol Licensing Changes Would be Disaster for Local Shops
In its response to the Home Office consultation “Rebalancing the Licensing Act”, ACS has warned that licensing changes would be ineffective and would cost convenience retailers at least £11million.
James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive said: “The proposed changes to the licensing system would be a disaster for local shops. We fear that Government is advancing at breakneck speed towards a raft of policy changes that are based in poor evidence and will lead to more difficulties for local authorities, more… Read More »