In its submission to the Autumn Statement scheduled for 22 November, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Chancellor to provide support for retailers in three key areas: stability on business rates, pragmatism on future wage increases, and a commitment to tackling crime in communities across the UK.
To address these concerns, the ACS has recommended several measures in their submission. Firstly, they propose a freeze on the business rates multiplier to help businesses cope with the impact of inflation. Additionally, they suggest extending the 75% retail and hospitality relief for another year. To protect employment opportunities and investment, the ACS advises the introduction of a mechanism that allows for pausing uplifts in the National Living Wage if rates negatively affect businesses.
In their submission, the ACS also emphasizes the importance of enforcing regulations against the ever-growing illicit tobacco and vaping market. They advocate for delivering on the Khan Review recommendations, which call for a £15m boost to enforcement efforts. Furthermore, they propose tax incentives to encourage businesses to invest in measures to combat crime and anti-social behavior.
ACS chief executive James Lowman emphasizes that convenience store retailers have faced significant challenges in the past year. These include exorbitant energy bills, inflationary pressures across all areas of their businesses, and the constant threat of theft and other serious crimes. Lowman urges the Chancellor to provide a much-needed boost to the sector. This includes supporting investments in crime prevention and detection measures, energy-efficient equipment, and more options for electric vehicle charging stations. By doing so, the government will demonstrate its commitment to local jobs, services, and investments.
According to figures from the 2023 Local Shop Report, convenience stores have invested over £646m in their businesses over the past 12 months. These investments have primarily supported areas such as refrigeration, technology, CCTV, service provision, and product diversification.
For additional information, the full submission to the Autumn Statement can be found on the ACS website [here](https://www.acs.org.uk/lobbying/autumn-statement-2023).