ACS publishes guidance on EU exit readiness

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has published a briefing paper for convenience retailers on the impact of the Brexit once the transition period ends on 31 December.

The UK is still in talks with the European Union (EU) over a free trade deal with the bloc. The government has recently launched a campaign urging businesses to step up preparations for Brexit, as they may need to take action regardless of the type of agreement reached with the EU by the end of the transition period.

The EU-Exit Readiness Briefing by the ACS covers three major areas relevant to the sector, namely, trading environment, workforce and people and regulations.

Developed in consultation with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and other relevant government departments, the briefing also provides information on the government’s Reasonable Worst Case Scenario for border delays, sell through periods of particular products and the expected changes to labelling of goods that will be sold within the sector.

“Local shops have been concerned about the impact of the our departure from the EU on their businesses and we have been working to provide convenience store operators with clarity on what they can do to prepare ahead of the end of the transition period,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive.

“This briefing provides convenience retailers with an outline of the key areas to consider within their business as we move through the next stage of the EU exit. This should form the agenda for retailers’ planning meetings over the coming weeks.”

The briefing by the ACS is available here. An ACS/IGD webinar on the topic can be seen here.

The government has made available a tool that will provide a personalised list of actions for businesses and citizens to prepare for the end of the transition.