Top stories in the papers this week 27 May – 3 June 2011

Four out of 200 independent retailers sign up to alcohol sale conduct code; E.coli will 'inevitably' reach Ireland; Rabbitte denies attack on Bruton wage-reform plans

Print

Print

News

1. Four out of 200 independent retailers sign up to alcohol sale conduct code

Just four out of 200 independent retailers who are licensed to sell alcohol are taking part in an industry-operated scheme regarding its sale. The Irish Examiner reports a voluntary code of conduct on selling alcohol was accepted by the previous government as an alternative to enacting the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. However, of the 200 independent retailers identified to join the code, only four had agreed to come on board.

2. E.coli will ‘inevitably’ reach Ireland

The strain of the E. Coli bug which has killed 18 people in Germany and Sweden will inevitably arrive in Ireland, a senior microbiologist here has said. The Irish Times reports that Dr Eleanor McNamara, director of the HSE’s public health laboratory, said that because all the cases discovered so far had related to travel to Germany, it was likely some cases would be seen in Ireland. The outbreak’s exact source remains unknown, after earlier suspicions about Spanish cucumbers were ruled out.

3. Rabbitte denies attack on Bruton wage-reform plans

Labour minister Pat Rabbitte has dismissed suggestions of a leadership-backed attack on Richard Bruton’s wage reform plans, the Evening Echo reports. Amid speculation of a rift within the coalition, Pat Rabbitte said Labour backbenchers who spoke out against the plans to reduce overtime and Sunday premium payments, were not sent out by party chiefs. Bruton intends to bring his action plan before Cabinet in the second half of next month.

4. Walmart gets first foothold in Africa

South Africa’s competition tribunal has approved Walmart’s $2.4bn (£1.5bn) bid for Massmart, which has 288 stores in South Africa and a dozen other African countries, without conditions that could have jeopardised the deal. However the Guardian reports the country’s powerful trade unions have condemned the move as likely to drive down wages and cost jobs; warning that they could respond with "the mother of all boycotts".

5. P&G urges suppliers and retailers to end tug-of-war

Suppliers and retailers need to work more closely to get through the recession, says Proctor & Gamble’s chief customer officer Bob Fregolle, who was in Dublin this week to address a conference. The Irish Times reports Fregolle is not a fan of promotions that can trigger short-term volume and sales, but which in the long term, “tend to erode brand equities and loyalty, not just for suppliers but for retailers.”

Also:

Grow-your-own food group attracts 10,000 members (Irish Examiner)

Retail rents down 50% from peak (Irish Examiner)

Wage proposal a real problem for Labour TDs (Bray People)

Europe E.coli outbreak caused by toxic new strain (Irish Independent)

Glorious era in retailing ends with closure of Superstore (Nenagh Guardian)

NICK GARBUTT: Justice and the big four supermarkets (Newsletter)

Londis launches ‘Green Scheme’ energy saving initiative (Biz Start Up)

IFA scores from set piece (Irish Examiner)
-How the IFA turned the serious matter of a raid on their offices by the Competition Authority to their advantage.

Spanish cucumbers ‘in the clear’ (Irish Independent)

Retail chains cashing in on market conditions (Irish Independent)

Customers can get their fill following £1.5m petrol station rebuild (Belfast Telegraph)

Retailers must be supported says Chamber (Carlow People)

Retailers ‘still active’ in Dublin property market, despite declining sales (Evening Echo)

Sainsbury’s to boost online service (Irish Examiner)

Food firm announces £500k investment to develop products (Belfast Telegraph)

Pop-ups here to stay (Sunday Business Post)

Government must act to rebalance food chain (Macra na Feirme)

Decline in retail sales reflects acute weakness in consumer demand (Irish Times)

Warm weather boosts pub sales but retailers struggling (Irish Examiner)

Retailers call for ‘urgent action’ (Inside Ireland)

Boots to create 20 jobs in Roscommon (Roscommon People)

Retail sales down for 38th consecutive month (The Journal)

IBEC wants Sunday pay rates abolished (Irish Examiner)

Don’t be banking on a rent cut (Irish Times)

IBEC wants Sunday pay rates abolished (Irish Examiner)

Jobs boost for seafood industry (Irish Times)

The global food crisis: ABCD of food – how the multinationals dominate trade (Guardian)

Tesco’s collegiate approach to pay is actually cosmetic (Guardian)

Related Articles

A twin triumph for the IGBF fun run →

Musgrave MarketPlace invests €2.5m in Ballymun Food Emporium upgrade →

Aldi introduces Mamia First Infant Milk  →

Slainté: Tradition in a bottle! →