PRESS RELEASE: CounterBooks was shortlisted for the Association of Convenience Stores’ “Technology Showcase” event

CounterBooks, a leading Online Retail Accounting Management Suite for the fuel, convenience and general retail industry, is delighted to announce that they were shortlisted and presented at the Association of Convenience Stores’ “Technology Showcase” in Westminster, London.

The “Technology Showcase” was part of the Association of Convenience Stores’ ‘Heart of the Community Conference 2014’ which attracted convenience retailers, Members of Parliament and ministers from across the country who discussed various issues faced by the convenience industry.

Along with four other innovative technology suppliers, CounterBooks shared how it uses cutting edge technology to assist convenience retailers to reduce cost, improve performance and manage risk. The audience included members of the Association of Convenience Stores’ Independent Board and other highly experienced and knowledgeable convenience retailers.

John Roberts, Managing Director, CounterBooks said ‘We were delighted to have been shortlisted for the “Technology Showcase”. The event was a great opportunity for convenience retailers and suppliers to discuss how to utilise technology. We really enjoyed contributing to the discussion.’

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: ‘Our Technology Showcase is a great opportunity for retailers and suppliers to share new ideas that are being developed for the convenience sector. We are delighted that CounterBooks was part of the event and able to share their innovations with those in attendance.’

To learn more about CounterBooks please visit www.CounterBooks.com

About CounterBooks

CounterBooks was developed in 2001 and launched on 1^st January 2003 as the world’s first online full ledger accounting management suite designed specifically for retailers. It was originally developed by a frustrated computer-programmer-turned-retailer who struggled with traditional accounting systems which were not developed for retail businesses. His aim was to provide an easy to use system suitable for a retailer with no accountancy experience while still providing full easily understandable data reporting.

For further information about CounterBooks, including case studies, images or interviews, please contact, Laura Shafer – Marketing Assistant:-

Telephone: (+44) 0207 099 1050

Email: lshafer@counterbooks.com

Website: http://www.counterbooks.com

Survey of local shops in the UK reveals shock rise in theft by staff

Retailers in the UK have been urged to stay vigilant after a shock rise in staff theft over the last year.

The Association of Convenience Stores’ Crime Survey, which covers 3,465 outlets, has revealed the number of incidents of staff theft has increased by 88% in 2012.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The significant spike in staff theft is particularly shocking. The reality of theft from criminals who seek out and then abuse a position of trust is particularly hard for retailers to stomach. We urge police and the criminal justice system to provide the necessary support to retailers in gathering the evidence and pursuing prosecutions where these crimes take place.”

Other findings from the survey include:

The number of till snatches increased by 28%

The number of robberies declined by 23%

The number of burglaries declined by 16%

Incidences of violence against retailers or staff declined by 10%

Lowman said: “These results demonstrate that local shops have been successful in implementing measures to mitigate and even prevent the impact of planned crimes like robberies and burglaries. Although there is a worrying increase in opportunist crimes such as till snatches, we urge retailers to stay vigilant and implement common sense policies like keeping cash levels low.

In January, the Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey showed the retail sector experienced an average of 37 incidents across all crime types, compared with an average of 29 incidents across all the four industry sectors covered. Retailers and wholesalers also experienced the highest level of robbery for all sectors with 633 instances per 1,000 premises over the year.

According to the results, 53% of all crime against retail and wholesale is accounted for by shop theft.

http://www.globalcstorefocus.com/cgi-bin/newsletter.pl?edition=201303&this_page=17&utm_source=March+Newsletter+2013&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Theft+by+Staff&utm_campaign=March+Newsletter+2013

 

Independent retailers are Britain’s hardest workers

Findings from the Association of Convenience Stores Local Shop Report have revealed that independent shopkeepers are Britain’s hardest worker. Most independent retailers work over 50 hours a week and just over half of shopkeepers take fewer than 10 days off a year. Some of the key findings are:

• 60% of shopkeepers work more than 50 hours in an average week, while just 7% work fewer than 30 hours a week
• 51% claim to take less than 10 days off a year while one in five take no holiday at all
• Many local shops are open all year round, even on public holidays like Christmas Day. As many of these stores are small family businesses, there is no option but to work throughout the year
• The hours worked by self-employed retailers are far greater than the legal maximum working week and the minimum holidays required under the Working Time Directive
• According to Office of National Statistics figures for the last quarter, the average working week is between 30 and 40 hours a week
• Those working in agriculture, forestry and fishing work the most hours on average (45) while those in accommodation and food services work the fewest (28)

Adam Stewart, Marketing Director, Rakuten’s Play.com, which supports merchants including independent retailers, commented: “The findings from the Association of Convenience Stores show the admirable dedication of independent retailers to their businesses. Working over 50 hours a week with less than 10 days holiday a year is proof of the difficulty small retailers face when  trying to compete with superstores and big brands who can afford to stay open for long hours.

“However, the internet never sleeps and with less than 14% of small retailers selling online (according to the European Commission’s Digital Agenda) these small businesses are missing a huge opportunity to reduce their hours on the shop floor. An online shop front is always open for business and the infrastructure offered by marketplaces gives independent retailers the chance to branch out without the expensive overheads and risk of setting up a physical shop. Online doesn’t have to be the death of the high street; it can open up a new and huge potential customer base and offers another business avenue so that shopkeepers don’t have to mind their stores 24/7, 365 days a year.”

http://www.retailtechnologyreview.com/absolutenm/templates/retail_critical.aspx?articleid=2352&zoneid=25

CV Retail becomes a Member of the Association of Convenience Stores

CV Retail, who provide CounterBooks a leading online retail accounting system to convenience retailers, is pleased to announce it has become an Associate member of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

The Association of Convenience Stores is the campaigning voice of more than 33,500 local shops. As the convenience store champion, ACS supports its members through lobbying, advice on legislation and issues that affect retailers, and through learning and networking events.

John Roberts, Managing Director of CV Retail says “To demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the convenience store market, we are delighted to be accredited as an associate member of the ACS”.

Mr Roberts continues “CounterBooks has been working closely with convenience store retailers to provide an online retail accounting system for over 10 years across Europe. As the landscape of retailing evolves over the next 10 years we foresee convenience store retailers and symbol groups capitalise on the opportunity that cloud technology brings to enhance their businesses”

Paul Chamberlain, Commercial Director of ACS said: “CV Retail is a successful, growing retail software company and their addition to our membership exemplifies their support for the convenience sector and local retailers. CV Retail’s membership further strengthens our resources and potential to provide the best networking opportunities in the sector. We are looking forward to working with them in the future.”

End

For more information about Association of Convenience Stores, please go to http://www.acs.org.uk/.

Notes for Editors

For more information about CounterBooks online retail accounting software, please contact Lisa Pretzer, lpretzer@cvretail.com

CV Retail Limited

Russell Square House

10-12 Russell Square

London

WC1B 5LF

Tel: +44 (0)207 099 1050

About CounterBooks

CounterBooks, online retail accounting software represents an easy and innovative management tool which gives you an effective financial overview of your retail operation.

It was developed as online accounting software for the retail market, first launched in Switzerland and Finland in 2003; in Ireland and Germany in 2005; in the UK in 2007 and in South Africa in 2010.