The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) launched its Stop Rogue Traders campaign last month, shining a spotlight on the growing problem of illicit trade on Britain’s high streets and calling for tougher action against businesses profiting from illegal goods.
The campaign aims to expose rogue traders selling illicit tobacco, illegal vapes, counterfeit alcohol and stolen products, while pushing for stronger enforcement to protect legitimate convenience retailers. For responsible retailers who invest in their communities, pay taxes and comply with the law, the rise of rogue operators is becoming an increasingly serious threat to their businesses.
Protecting legitimate retailers
Illicit trade continues to cost responsible retailers millions of pounds each year, with criminals undercutting legitimate businesses by selling illegal tobacco, non-compliant vaping products, counterfeit alcohol and stolen goods.
According to the ACS Crime Report 2026, 85% of convenience retailers say they have seen illicit activity increase in their local area over the past year, while one in four have witnessed stolen goods from their own businesses being resold locally. These rogue traders not only damage sales but also undermine consumer confidence and often have links to organised crime.
ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall said “The illicit trade is causing serious harm to responsible retailers across the country, both in terms of their bottom line and the wider reputation of the convenience sector. We are calling on the Government to take targeted action to get rogue traders off the streets and put in place effective deterrents that keep them away from our communities. As part of the campaign, we’re urging all retailers who see illicit activity in their area to report it immediately to Trading Standards”
What the campaign is calling for
Through the Stop Rogue Traders campaign, ACS is urging Government to take stronger action by:
- Embedding action against rogue traders within its High Streets Strategy.
- Extending closure orders for businesses found selling illicit products.
- Providing police with greater access to tobacco track-and-trace data.
- Making it easier for retailers to report illicit trading.
- Investing an additional £140 million over five years in Trading Standards, including funding for around 400 additional enforcement officers.
ACS believes stronger enforcement is essential to disrupt organised criminal networks and create a level playing field for retailers who operate responsibly.
The campaign has already welcomed Government measures announced earlier this year, including the creation of a £30 million High Streets Organised Crime Unit and proposals to extend closure orders for rogue businesses from six months to 12 months.
Working towards the same goal
The campaign closely mirrors the objectives of Protect Your Store, the retailer-led campaign founded by independent retailer Paul Cheema.
Since its launch, Protect Your Store has consistently highlighted the dangers posed by illicit tobacco and illegal vaping products, warning that organised crime continues to profit while legitimate retailers lose trade. The campaign has also argued that any future tobacco legislation must be accompanied by significantly stronger enforcement to prevent the illegal market from expanding further.
Alongside raising awareness, Protect Your Store is encouraging retailers to take direct action by contacting their local MP to highlight the impact illicit trade is having on legitimate convenience stores. Through its website, the campaign has made the process straightforward with a three-step guide:
- Find your MP’s email address using the online search tool.
- Open a pre-populated email template provided by the campaign.
- Paste your MP’s email address, add their name and your own details, then send the email.
The initiative aims to ensure MPs hear directly from the retailers affected by illicit trade and understand the need for stronger enforcement alongside future tobacco legislation.
While ACS is lobbying the Government for additional resources and legislative change, Protect Your Store continues to mobilise retailers at grassroots level, encouraging them to speak out, report illicit activity and engage with their elected representatives.
Retailers have a key role to play
ACS is encouraging retailers to report rogue traders whenever they encounter illicit activity. Intelligence from local businesses remains one of the most effective ways for Trading Standards and enforcement agencies to identify repeat offenders and organised criminal networks.
The campaign also provides retailers with guidance on how to report illegal trading through Trading Standards, Citizens Advice and HMRC, helping ensure concerns reach the appropriate authorities.
Standing together against illicit trade
For independent convenience retailers already facing rising operating costs, retail crime and increasing regulatory pressures, illicit trade represents yet another challenge to running a successful business.
The launch of ACS’ Stop Rogue Traders campaign demonstrates the industry’s determination to tackle the issue head-on. Alongside Paul Cheema’s Protect Your Store campaign, it sends a strong message that protecting legitimate retailers will require both tougher enforcement from Government and continued collaboration across the convenience sector.
Retailers looking to find out more about the campaign or access reporting guidance can visit the ACS Stop Rogue Traders campaign page: https://www.acs.org.uk/campaigns/stop-rogue-traders
More information about Protect Your Store, and how to contact your local MP is available at protectyourstore.co.uk.
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