Convenience stores are a huge part of the UK economy, employing over 365,000 people while serving millions of customers every day. The Local Shop Podcast brings the ACS team together with retailers and industry experts to discuss upcoming trends and the biggest political issues affecting the sector.
Association of Convenience Stores
Chris, James and Ed discuss what was in (and what wasn't in) Jeremy Hunt's Budget, including a complete failure of Government to address the cliff edge of energy costs facing convenience stores.
Chris, James and Ed talk through the main headlines from Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget, including the energy bill relief scheme, investment zones, tax cuts, and more!
Chris is joined by James and Ed to talk through the crisis facing retailers when it comes to energy bills this winter, what can be done to help, and when the next Prime Minister is likely to act.
Chris is joined by Steve Dowling from ACS and Rebekah from Meraki Creative Therapy to discuss the importance of wellbeing for both retailers and colleagues and some of the things that you can do to prioritise your mental health.
Chris, James and Ed talk through the big announcements in the Chancellor's Spring Statement, what support is available for businesses, and what's next as retailers face into rising costs throughout the year.
Follow us on Twitter @ACS_localshops and @localshoppod You can find the full Rural Shop Report at ACS.org.uk
Chris and James talk through the main points of the Chancellor's Budget, including new measures to incentivise investment, duty rates reform, and wage increases.
On this episode, we hear from the three finalists of the Raj Aggarwal Trophy, who shared their inspirational stories at the 2021 Heart of the Community Conference earlier this week. The panel session was chaired by award winning retailers Jonathan James and Avtar Sidhu.
Chris is joined by Ed, James, Lydia and Steve to discuss the party conference season, what the Government's agenda looks like in the future, and what it's been like having an ACS stand at conference for the first time.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear from Steve Dowling about the launch of the brand new ACS Wellbeing Guide, as well as hear from experts on wellbeing and leading retailers about how they prioritise wellbeing in their businesses.
James Lowman is joined by green expert Victoria Robertshaw, Retail Sector Council co-chair Richard Pennycook and net zero policy advisor Sam Lux to discuss what retailers can do to be greener, as well as the new Green Street initiative. Find out more about Green Street at www.greenstreet.org.uk
We're joined by prominent retail and tech investor Matt Truman of investment firm True Global to take a deep dive into ultra-fast grocery models like Getir, Weezy and others that have been making headlines in recent months, and how they might change the convenience sector in the future.
Chris talks to Ed Woodall about the launch of the industry-wide #ShopKind campaign, plus a Sky News interview with James Lowman and Debbie Robinson.
Chris is joined by James Lowman, Steve Dowling and Eleanor O Connell to run through the big announcements from this year's Budget, whether it's good news or bad news for the convenience sector, and what we can expect next from the Government.
Chris is joined by Camelot Head of Retail Operations Julie Brian to talk through the ins and outs of the upcoming change to the age of play for National Lottery products and what it means for retailers. Plus, changes to CBD regulations, and an update on Natasha's Law.Visit the Camelot Retailer Hub at https://www.tnlretailerhub.co.uk/
Chris is joined by James and Ed to talk about whether the business rates system is still fit for purpose, if there's a simple alternative, and what local shops need right now to help them plan for the future.
Chris is joined by Ed Woodall from ACS, Doug Russell from shopworkers union USDAW and Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE to talk through the issues facing retailers when it comes to violence and abuse, how to get involved with the upcoming PCC elections and the #keepingchristmaskind campaign.
Chris is joined by ACS Government Relations Director Ed Woodall to talk through the big announcements in the Spending Review, what they mean for retailers, and what all of this means for the future.
On this episode, Chris talks through the latest announcements on the end of lockdown in December, and Will Nelson joins the podcast to talk through the shortlisted entries for this year's Innovation Showcase.
On this episode, Chris talks through the latest on the new regulations that have just come into force affecting convenience stores, we hear a preview of the latest local radio campaign with James Lowman, and exclusive audio from the Summit Masterclass on making local products a star.
On this episode, we talk about the 2020 Local Shop Report - featuring a discussion with ACS Government Relations Director Ed Woodall and an expert panel from Summit20 including Michael O’Loughlin (SimplyFresh), Loreta Lingyte (The Retail Data Partnership) and Aidan Fortune (Convenience Store).
Chris is joined by ACS Government Relations Director Ed Woodall to provide initial thoughts on the Chancellor's summer statement and what it means for local shops.
Chris is joined by award winning independent retailer Joe Williams to talk about some upcoming changes to his store in Hook Norton and how his business has fared during lockdown. There's also an update on the reopening of businesses on July 4th, as well as news from Scotland about mandatory face coverings in shops from July 10th.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Emma Bould (Alzheimer's Society), Emily Holzhausen (Carers UK) and Sally Wake (Company Shop) to talk about the role of local shops in supporting carers in communities.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris talks to ACS chief executive James Lowman about the impact that the pandemic has had on colleagues working in the convenience sector, the pressures facing workers in the upcoming recession, and the challenges of keeping a sustainable home delivery offer going post-lockdown.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear from James Lowman on new research into how the convenience sector has responded to the lockdown, and there's a reminder about changes to tobacco legislation. To refer yourself for a coronavirus test, the website link is https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/ (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/KklNCqYrESqk7QTXSPsI?domain=self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/)
On this episode, Chris is joined by James and Ed to discuss what the latest changes to the lockdown rules mean for retailers, whether the Government's view of local shops has improved since the Covid-19 crisis, and what the long term impact for the sector might be.
On this episode, we speak to Amit Puntambekar, a Nisa retailer from Fenstanton about how his business is adapting, and there's a discussion with Harriet English from the Plunkett Foundation on how community shops and pubs are coping with the lockdown measures.
On this episode, we talk to award winning Scottish community retailer Dennis Williams about the success of Broadway Convenience Store's new hardship fund, and retail consultant Graham Soult about what the future looks like for retail after Covid-19. There's also a chance to hear the newest local radio campaign on Covid-19 testing with ACS chief executive James Lowman.
On this episode Chris revisits the upcoming menthol ban with Julie Byers, exploring which products are affected as part of the ban and what retailers need to do to make sure that they are prepared. We also hear a preview of the latest local radio campaign with James Lowman.
On this episode, Chris talks to SPAR retailer David Charman and Costcutter retailer Josie Chamberlain about how their businesses have reacted and adapted in the last few weeks. We also hear a preview of the latest local radio campaign with James Lowman.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris speaks to David Sands about how the David's Kitchen business has had to refocus during the lockdown, and to Richard Inglis about his experience of running three stores in locations that have been hit hard in the last few weeks. There's also a preview of the latest radio campaign with James Lowman.
On this episode of the podcast, we're talking to Ed and James from ACS, Chief Inspector Patrick Holdaway, independent retailer Rav Garcha and Emma Bould from the Alzheimer's Society about crime in convenience stores during Covid-19, and how retailers are going above and beyond to support vulnerable customers.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris updates on the latest news from Government in terms of support for retailers in response to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and speaks to Aman Uppal (One Stop Mount Nod) and Patrick Sewell (Sewell on the Go) about how they're responding to new social distancing guidance. 0:59 - Update on support for businesses 3:25 - One Stop Mount Nod 12:04 - Patrick Sewell 22:51 - Radio interview with James Lowman
On this episode of the podcast, Chris talks through the Government package of support for retailers in response to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and speaks to award winning retailers Sunder Sandher and Avtar Sidhu about what they're doing to respond to demand. 0:42 - Government support for businesses 4:53 - Sunder Sandher 16:04 - Avtar Sidhu (Sid) 33:44 - Radio interview with James Lowman
Chris, James and Ed react to the big announcements from this year's Budget, including huge news on business rates and other costs affecting retailers in 2020.
This year, we're working with the Alzheimer's Society to create 25,000 Dementia Friends in the convenience sector. On this episode, Chris is joined by James and Emma Bould from the Alzheimer's Society to talk more about what dementia is and how retailers can help.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Katie Cross from ACS and Georgie Altman from search giant Google to talk about how retailers can make the most of data and technology. We also look ahead to the 2020 Technology Showcase.
Chris is joined by ACS policy expert Julie Byers to get the facts on the upcoming menthol ban, and an update on track and trace regulations.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Ed and James to talk about the recently confirmed General Election, how retailers can engage with candidates in their local area, and the issues we'd like to see in a local shop manifesto.
This episode of the podcast features a live panel discussion from the 2019 Heart of the Community Conference on what the justice system can do to tackle violence and abuse committed against retailers. The panellists are Dr Emmeline Taylor (City University of London), Joe Rutlidge (One Stop), Jayne King (Guys and St Thomas Hospital) and Dame Vera Baird (Victims Commissioner).
The episode of the podcast features a live panel discussion from the 2019 Heart of the Community Conference on how important services are to convenience stores, and which services might be emerging in the future. The panellists are James Daley (Fairer Finance), Richard Piggin (Which?), Steve O'Neill (Paypoint) and Linda Williams (independent retailer).
The episode of the podcast features a live panel discussion from the 2019 Heart of the Community Conference on how the provision of food in convenience stores is changing, as well as the challenges facing stores when it comes to intervention and regulation from Government. The panellists are Gary Stott (Community Shop), Anna Taylor (Food Foundation), Mital Morar (independent retailer) and Ranvir Singh (broadcaster).
On this episode, Chris is joined by Shane Brennan from the Cold Chain Federation and Ed Woodall from ACS to talk about what Brexit means for convenience retailers. Guidance on preparing for Brexit is available at ACS.org.uk (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/-D3QCzKE8So5G4sXH84g?domain=acs.org.uk) , and there is a Cold Chain Federation webinar on the impact of no deal at coldchainfederation.org.uk/connect/previous-webinars/ (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/7d1mCAP2LsAkZEc9WRxy?domain=coldchainfederation.org.uk)
On this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Portland Fuel MD James Spencer to talk about changes in the fuel and forecourt markets over recent years, some of the challenges facing forecourt retailers now, and where the sector's future might lie. The 2019 Forecourt Report will be available to download from 4th October at ACS.org.uk (https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/9mdNCvozMTzPkPtXAptk?domain=acs.org.uk)
On this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined by Professor Jonathan Reynolds from the University of Oxford's Said Business School to discuss the findings of this year's report and share some insights on what makes great convenience retailing.
This special live recording of the Local Shop Podcast is taken from the panel at the launch event of the Local Shop Report in the National Space Centre, Leicester. Our panellists are Amish Shingadia, Amit Puntambekar, Vicky Lockie and Graham Soult.
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