ACS: The Local Shop Podcast

ACS: The Local Shop Podcast

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.

Episodes

75: What Next in the Battle against Crime?

March 10, 2025 • 31 mins
The ACS Crime Report has revealed a new record level of shop theft, with over 6.2million offences committed in the last year. The report comes on the eve of the second reading of the Crime and Policing Bill, which aims to make a meaningful change to crime in communities. 

In this episode, Chris Noice is joined by Nisa head of retail Taranjit Dhillon, independent retailer Ben Salvaratnam, James Lowman and Ed Woodall to...
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74: Budget Reaction: Big Changes to Employment Costs

October 30, 2024 • 21 mins
Chris and James talk through the impact of the main announcements in the new Labour Government's first Budget, including employer National Insurance Contributions, business rates, and a new commitment on tackling shoplifting. 
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73: What's in the Manifestos?

June 14, 2024 • 30 mins
Chris, James and Ed talk through the commitments made in the manifestos released this week from the main parties looking to count on your vote at the General Election.  We cover how the parties stack up on key issues like crime, business rates, employment and public health. 

Get the latest from the campaign trail at the ACS Election Centre online at ACS.org.uk
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72: Employment Opportunities for Everyone

June 12, 2024 • 36 mins
James is joined by Gareth Evans from Spectra, Phil Ponsonby from Midcounties Co-operative and Anna Butcher from John Lewis to discuss how convenience retailers are working with the underutilised parts of the workforce, including ex-military, prison leavers and care leavers, to provide important career opportunities. 
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71: The Election is Coming: What Happens Next

May 23, 2024 • 15 mins
We react to the news that the General Election will be held on July 4th after a surprise announcement from the Prime Minister. Plus, what does the election mean for legislation that's currently working its way through parliament, and how can you get involved with the campaign by hosting a store visit with candidates. 
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70: 200 Years of Cadbury with Mondelez

April 15, 2024 • 24 mins
In this special episode of the Local Shop Podcast, Chris is joined by Susan Nash and Alisdair Hamilton from Mondelez to talk about the history of the Cadbury business and how Mondelez is supporting independent retailers in 2024 and beyond.

Retailers, go to https://www.snackdisplay.co.uk/ for more info!
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69: What is the Government Doing about Vaping?

March 27, 2024 • 33 mins
Chris is joined by James and Ed to talk through the raft of measures that the Government has announced on the vaping category in recent months, the impact that they will have on retailers, and what we might expect next. 

Retailers can get in touch with their MP about the impact of the disposable vape ban via the ACS website at https://www.acs.org.uk/disposable-vapes-ban
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68: Celebrating International Women's Day

March 8, 2024 • 20 mins
Guest host Sarah C Johnson is joined by leading retailers Sunita Aggarwal and Charlotte Dant to discuss International Women's Day, the Women's Independent Retail Network and much more! 
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67: Spring Budget 2024 Reaction

March 6, 2024 • 17 mins
Chris is joined by James and Ed to discuss the big announcements from the Chancellor's Budget. 

P.S. We had some audio issues with this recording, so please bear with us! This is a temporary issue that will be fixed next time around. 
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66: Spring Budget Preview

March 1, 2024 • 37 mins
Chris, James and Ed preview the upcoming Spring Budget and discuss the latest developments on the disposable vapes ban. 
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65: Operation Pegasus and the Retail Crime Action Plan

November 9, 2023 • 31 mins
James sits down with Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE and National Business Crime Centre lead Patrick Holdaway to discuss the recent developments on shop theft and tackling retail crime. 
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64: Budget 2023 Reaction: Where's the Money?

March 15, 2023 • 21 mins
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. 
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63: Mini (?) Budget Reaction. Ep 63

September 23, 2022 • 18 mins
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! 
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62: The Energy Crisis Facing Local Shops

September 1, 2022 • 20 mins
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. 
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61: Talking Wellbeing with Meraki Creative Therapy

April 14, 2022 • 35 mins
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. 
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60: Spring Statement Reaction

March 23, 2022 • 18 mins
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. 
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59: Talking Rural Shops with Kerry Booth

February 1, 2022 • 19 mins
Follow us on Twitter @ACS_localshops and @localshoppod

You can find the full Rural Shop Report at ACS.org.uk
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58: Autumn Budget Reaction

October 27, 2021 • 19 mins
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.
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57: Celebrating Incredible Community Retailing

October 19, 2021 • 28 mins
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.
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56: Party Conference Roundup

October 6, 2021 • 34 mins
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.
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