The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has responded to the Department for Business and Trade’s consultation on reforming zero-hours contracts, warning that changes to employment rights must not undermine the flexible and secure jobs offered by convenience retailers.
The government is seeking to address what it describes as “one-sided flexibility”, where employers have significant control over shift patterns and employees are required to accommodate late changes, cancellations or requests for cover.
As part of the consultation, the government is seeking further feedback on measures contained within the Employment Rights Act, including rights to guaranteed hours, reasonable notice of shifts and payment when shifts are cancelled, shortened or moved at short notice.
In its submission, ACS highlighted the way employment contracts operate in convenience stores and argued that the sector already offers flexibility for both retailers and colleagues.
The organisation called for:
- An eight-hour-per-week threshold for the right to guaranteed hours, measured over a 12-week reference period
- Continued flexibility for retailers to adjust staffing levels on a seasonal basis
- Short-notice and payment rights that take account of unavoidable emergencies such as supply disruption
- Recognition of the limited HR resources available to many convenience retailers, which are small businesses
According to the 2026 ACS Colleague Survey, 97% of convenience store colleagues are employed on permanent contracts, while zero-hours contracts are used rarely. The survey also found that 81% of colleagues feel secure in their job.
ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall said: “The Government must ensure that its reforms do not unintentionally reduce employment opportunities or impose disproportionate burdens on small retailers. The flexibility offered by convenience stores is one of the sector’s greatest strengths, enabling colleagues to fit work around caring responsibilities and other commitments, while giving retailers the ability to respond to changing customer demand throughout the year.”
