Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Human content, AI powered search.
Latest Stories

ACS welcomes Welsh Minister's letter for better Covid-19 police enforcement

Hannah Hastings
By Hannah HastingsOct 06, 2020
Hannah Hastings
See Full Bio

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed a letter from Welsh Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths, calling on chief constables across to ensure support for the 3,000 convenience stores in Wales when dealing with coronavirus restrictions.

In the letter, Mr Griffiths highlights the ‘significant escalation’ in abuse experienced by all kinds of retailers, including both large supermarkets and small convenience stores, during the pandemic.

Common triggers for abuse from customers include those unwilling to follow social distancing and face covering requirements.

In some areas, the states that the police had not responded to over 20% of incidents of abuse, leading to retailers feeling as though there was not adequate support from local forces.

There were also concerns raised about the role of retailers in enforcing regulations – the Minister reinforces in the letter that retailers “should not be expected to challenge customers and enforce the regulations, and to attempt to do so would risk the health and safety of their staff”.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome this important intervention from the Minister, which confirms that retailers should not be expected to challenge those customers who are unwilling to follow the social distancing measures or face covering regulations.

"While the vast majority of customers have been incredibly supportive of their local shops during this time, there are some who are being abusive and violent to colleagues.

"These incidents should always be reported, and retailers should have confidence that the police will deal with offenders appropriately.”

Figures from ACS’ Covid Impact Survey show that 40% of retailers experienced an increase in violence and abuse during lockdown.

ACS is working with the Home Office on a campaign to ensure that all incidents of violence and abuse are reported to police, and to enforce the message that abuse is not part of the job for colleagues and retailers.

acscoronaviruspoliceretail crimeretail newswales

Related News

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health
Editorial

Food and drink giants under pressure to act on public health

Freight crime cost over £680 million
Industry News

Freight crime cost over £680 million

More for you

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less
Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform

Independent retailers association Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.

The Budget, labelled by Bira as "devastating" for independent retailers, was met with widespread indignation from Bira members.

Keep ReadingShow less