ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has published an EU Exit Readiness briefing for the convenience sector to help retailers consider how their business may be affected at the end of the transition period on 31st December 2020.
The EU-Exit Readiness Briefing covers three core elements for convenience retailers to consider: trading environment, workforce & people and regulations.
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.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “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.
“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 has been developed in close consultation with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and other relevant government departments.
The Government has also launched its ‘UK transition: time is running out’ campaign to urge and help businesses and individuals prepare for the end of the transition period. The campaign explains that business and citizens may need to take action regardless of the type of agreement reached with the EU by the end of the transition period on 31st December.
Businesses and citizens can use the Government tool here to answer a few questions and receive a personalised list of actions to prepare for the end of the transition. You can also sign up for emails to get updates for what you need to do.
The Government is also hosting Brexit Business Readiness Events across the UK which gives businesses the opportunity to meet government advisers and to find out what actions they need to take to prepare for the UK leaving the European Union.
The full briefing can be accessed at this address: https://www.acs.org.uk/sites/default/files/acs_brexit_readiness_briefing_nov_2020_aw2_v2_sec.pdf