ACS: Future of Retail

Vital role of local shops highlighted

The trade body told MPs that its members are facing new challenges in light of the cost-of-living crisis and these businesses cannot face these pressures alone.

ACS has highlighted the security, sustainability and flexibility of local employment in the convenience sector during an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Future of Retail.

The group serves to provide a forum to engage with interested stakeholders and promote the value of the retail sector in collaboration with industry.

The evidence session, chaired by Liz Twist MP, heard from ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, Retail Trust Head of Wellbeing Cliff Lee, Retail Trust Commercial and Services Director Neil Duffy, EVRi Head of Public Affairs Helen Barker, and Usdaw Deputy Head of Research and Policy Chris Morris.

The aim of the session was to examine the retail workforce as the sector recovers from previous coronavirus restrictions and adapts to other pressures including the growing cost-ofliving crisis.

During the evidence session, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “Convenience stores offer local, flexible and secure employment for hundreds of thousands of people in communities across the UK. Local shops acted as a lifeline for their customers throughout the pandemic and demonstrated the adaptability and resilience of the sector, but our members are now facing new challenges in light of the cost-of-living crisis and these businesses cannot face these pressures alone.

“The Queen’s Speech earlier this month was a missed opportunity to recognise examples of good employment in the sector and to take action to address insecure employment in the gig economy.”

Findings from the 2021 Local Shop Report show that there are almost 400,000 people working in the convenience sector in 2021, 92% of which are on a permanent employment contract.