Press Releases

With convenience stores and petrol stations officially recognised as essential services for people to rely on, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has reinforced the importance for these stores to be afforded the same consideration as the major supermarkets when it comes to the supply of critical hygiene items. AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said it’s business-as-usual for convenience stores to implement extremely high hygiene standards, a practice which relies on the regular supply of sanitisers, antibacterial wipes and other hygiene products. But the current climate has heightened the importance of best practice hygiene, placing a strain on the supply of these products. “We are proud to be playing such a vital role in communities across Australia and it’s a responsibility we take seriously. But in order to best serve customers, there are areas in which we require support. We are in discussions with key suppliers to ensure frequent deliveries…

Good afternoon, Firstly thank you again to our thousands of store operators and their staff for continuing to keep their stores trading and in many cases being an important support for their communities. Thank you also to our suppliers for continuing to ensure that our stores receive the stock they require to satisfy their customer needs, albeit often under difficult circumstances. When this crisis passes, as it will, we will look back and mostly remember the little acts of kindness and respectful attitudes of our fellow Australians and how we treated one another and not the rudeness of some. It will again be the ordinary Australians that will save the day, whether working in retail, in our emergency services or just as good citizens adhering to the medical advice on social distancing etc. There have been a number of government announcements this past week and even today on support available…

The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has lent its support to calls for the Reserve Bank to mandate least-cost routing for all merchants so businesses including convenience calls can direct tap-and-go payments to the domestic Eftpos system, instead of the more expensive international credit card networks. In its submission to the Reserve Bank’s Review of Retail Payments Regulation, the AACS highlights the potential for convenience stores to save thousands each year by having the ability to route all tap-and-go transactions through low cost domestic networks. “More profitable stores mean greater employment opportunities, especially at the local community level,” said AACS CEO Jeff Rogut. “In this challenging time for retail and small business generally, it’s critical for small business to minimise their costs of doing business and this includes minimising what they’re charged by their banks for providing tap-and-go payment options for their customers. “Convenience  stores, above all else, are…

On Friday it happened in Glen Waverley, Melbourne. Details of weekend incidents will soon emerge and this week it will be somewhere else. Violent robberies of convenience stores occur with frightening regularity, traumatising victims and hurting small businesses, and the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has strongly urged Governments to act.  AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the industry has had enough and that the time for zero-tolerance has well and truly arrived.  “Our Association has represented the interests of convenience stores for the past 30 years and while the level of engagement we have with politicians and law enforcement has never been stronger, there are issues on which we must continue to maintain pressure,” Mr Rogut said.  “Crime is a major one as incidents like armed robbery, petrol theft and the spread of illegal cigarettes are unacceptable. To date, our representations to ministers on the issue of crime has…