James Lowman is to step down as chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) in 2026 after nearly 20 years at the helm of the influential trade group.
The ACS said its board is now commencing the process of recruiting a successor. ACS chair Ramesh Shingadia said: “James has been an extraordinary leader who has transformed the organisation, strengthened its voice in government and the media, and championed the interests of convenience retailers across the UK… James leaves behind not only a remarkable legacy of achievement, but also a solid foundation for ACS’s future growth and success.”
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Since being appointed to the position in late 2006, Lowman has raised the profile of convenience stores, successfully challenged and influenced government policy and driven advances in how officials respond to retail crime and other retailer challenges.
In one of his most successful campaigns, the ACS fought off attempts to scrap Sunday Trading restrictions in England and Wales, a move that was forecast to cost local shops more than £860m in lost sales and leave more than 3,000 staff out of work.
