ACS

⛽ ACS has defended forecourt retailers in Downing Street this afternoon as they face scrutiny from the Chancellor over rising pump prices. 🔗acs.org.uk/press-releases…

Happy International Womens Day! ACS’ Women in Independent Retail Network came together at @MDLZ to celebrate. The event marks 5 years of WIRN, bringing together women in independent convenience stores to network, grow relationships, &support one another. acs.org.uk/news/retailers…

The #springstatement was a missed opportunity to support retailers facing increased business rates bills in April. Full reaction here: acs.org.uk/news/chancello…

As the Crime and Policing Bill moves through Parliament, we welcome Baroness Levitt highlighting that only 36% of retail crime is reported. The Government’s commitment to treat all shop theft seriously is a vital step to restoring retailers’ confidence in reporting.

ACS was in Parliament for the launch of the Trust & Transparency Energy Charter, standing alongside industry to call for immediate & meaningful reform of how electricity prices are set, sold & disclosed. 👏Thanks to Sarah Edwards MP for showing leadership on this important topic

📢ACS has written to the Chancellor calling for urgent action on April’s business rate hikes. Local shops face rising costs and need permanent relief now. Without meaningful reform, many will face tough decisions on staff hours, investment and services. 🔗acs.org.uk/news/chancello…

Retail crime continues to be a serious and growing issue for local shops. According to ACS' latest crime insights, the top three most commonly stolen items in convenience retail are: 🍺 Alcohol 🍫 Confectionery 🥩 Meat

🚨 Only 3 Weeks to Go! 🚨 Join us on 18 March at the Safe & Responsible Retailing Conference in Birmingham. 🔗 Book your place now: acs.org.uk/events/safe-an…

Rural shops are the lifelines of our communities — which is your favourite? The ACS Rural Shop Report 2026 shows they’re far more than convenient — they provide essentials, jobs and connection. I’ll keep backing them. 👇 Share yours.

The Welsh Government have been given the green light to include glass within its Deposit Return Scheme. Glass will have no deposit until 2031, raising concerns about additional cost and complexity for retailers. More here: acs.org.uk/news/including…

If you work in a convenience store, complete our colleague survey for a chance to win one of 10 £100 shopping vouchers: surveymonkey.com/r/ACSColleague…

ACS members met with officials from @DefraGovUK to discuss the unique challenges facing rural convenience stores and the essential role they play in local communities. 🔗Read the 2026 Rural Shop Report here: acs.org.uk/research/rural…

We launched our 2026 Rural Shop Report in Parliament, celebrating the contribution that makes the UK's 18,000+ rural shops great. 🔗Full report here: acs.org.uk/press-releases…

Great to join rural retailers at the launch of the @ACS_LocalShops Association of Convenience Stores Rural Shop Report in Westminster where we talked about the challenges they face and what they need from Government to thrive 🌳🛒 Rural shops are the heartbeat of communities like ours in Sherwood Forest - supporting jobs, tackling isolation and keeping villages connected.

Today we launch our Rural Shop Report in parliament, celebrating what makes the 18,000+ rural shops in the UK great. Download the full report here: acs.org.uk/research/rural…

Great to see ACS mentioned in the House of Lords. Peers raised concerns about pressures on local shops, including: 📢Rising costs &investment challenges 🏪Our calls for fairer business rates 🚨ACS Crime Report citing shocking levels of retail crime &violence against shopworkers

The Government has confirmed that additional business rates support will be confined to pubs and music venues, neglecting the challenges facing local shops and other high street businesses. More here: acs.org.uk/news/local-sho…

We’re hosting a webinar with Exchange for Change to walk through what the Deposit Return Scheme actually is and what it means for convenience stores. 🗓 Thursday 5 February ⏰ 10:00am 👉 Retailers can register here to join: acs.org.uk/events/introdu…

Don't miss our 2026 Safe and Responsible Retailing Conference! Spaces are filling up fast, book your free place now: acs.org.uk/events/safe-an…

In recent days, the Chancellor has again suggested that rates support will be limited to pubs. We've written to the Treasury and have been engaging with MPs to make it clear that when rates go up, it has a direct impact on investment, employment and services in local shops.