James Lowman news, comment and analysis
James Lowman is CEO of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
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NewsIncidents of shop theft continue at near record levels, ONS data shows
The Office for National Statistics’ latest Crime Survey for England and Wales shows shoplifting offences rose by 13% to 530,000 for the year ending June 2025
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NewsRetail bodies welcome progress to protect sector from theft and harm
The Crime and Policing Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords has been completed
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NewsACS demands Chancellor implement maximum business rates discount for small shops
The trade body is demanding the Chancellor goes as far as possible in her autumn budget to support convenience retailers
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News60,000 small shops at risk without promised business rates discount
The Co-op is calling on Rachel Reeves to make full use of new powers to cut business rates for small shops in her autmn budget
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NewsACS warns clampdown on illicit vape sellers could hit responsible retailers
Retailers will need a licence to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products under new DHSC proposals
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NewsMidcounties Co-op CEO Phil Ponsonby to be ACS chair
Ponsonby, who currently acts as vice chair, will replace independent retailer Ramesh Shingadia who completes his two-year term in November
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NewsACS urges Chancellor to reduce business rates burden to help c-stores invest
The ACS has outlined the challenges facing the convenience sector as a result of increased costs of employment and the rising burden of business rates
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NewsACS CEO James Lowman to step down next year
Lowman initially joined ACS in March 1997 ahead of his appointment as CEO in November 2006
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NewsEconomic headwinds hammering convenience sales, investment and jobs, says ACS
The trade body’s 2025 Local Shop Report, published today, showed the total projected sales this year had fallen
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NewsShop theft hits record high with 20% surge across England and Wales
Incidents of shop theft in England and Wales have reached new record levels, soaring 20% to 530,643 offences for the year ending March 2025, new data shows
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NewsDeposit return scheme: Wales compromise ‘complex and costly’ warn drinks bosses
On Friday The Grocer revealed Wales had agreed to accelerate its plans for a DRS, keeping hopes alive of a UK-wide 2027 rollout
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NewsTrade bodies welcome Safer Streets initiative to crack down on crime
Government will be increasing police patrols near shops and community centres
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NewsRetail sector welcomes Chancellor’s extra £2bn in police funding to curb crime
Trade bodies and unions have said the “vital” funding will help to address incidents of theft, violence and abuse
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NewsDRS D-day: reaction as UK Deposit Management Organisation appointed
The government yesterday confirmed it had appointed an industry coalition called the UK Deposit Management Organisation (UK DMO) to run the £1.13bn DRS scheme, due to launch in October 2027
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NewsShop thefts recorded by police soar 20% in a year
According to the Office for National Statistics’ latest crime report, shop theft offences in England and Wales rose to 516,971 for the year ending December 2024, compared with 430,104 in the previous 12 months
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NewsCost of crime against convenience stores rises 29% to £316m, ACS finds
The ACS 2025 Crime Report, released today, said the cost of crime including theft, vandalism, robbery, burglary and fraud, was £6,259 per store
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NewsACS welcomes publication of Crime & Policing Bill to protect shopworkers
These measures come as police recorded one million incidents of antisocial behaviour in the year ending September 2024
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Analysis & FeaturesHow can independent convenience stores defend their prices?
Supermarkets have opened a new front in their pricing battle, offering Aldi Price matching in their convenience stores. So what can independents do to persuade shoppers they still offer value?
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NewsDeposit return scheme gets October 2027 launch date
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB said the October 2027 rollout was “challenging but achievable”
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NewsBritish public wants tougher punishments for retailers selling vapes to kids
More than half polled in the Britain in Focus survey, commissioned by BAT UK, consider the proposed punishment as ‘too lenient’