Top stories in the papers this week 27 August – 3 September 2010
Consumer law breached by 57 businesses; NCA cracks down on breaches in consumer law; Topaz petrol stations lobby city council in strategic review
Print27 September 2010
1. Consumer law breached by 57 businesses
Over 50 retail businesses were found to have breached consumer legislation in the first half of the year, according to the NCA. The Irish Times reports 20 compliance notices were issued to businesses who charged customers more than the price displayed, including Dunnes Store in Henry Street, Dublin, Lidl in Finglas and Tesco in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, and Wicklow town. Another 32 traders were fined €300 each for breaches of pricing legislation, particularly the requirement to display prices.
2. Consumer spending falls for third month
Consumer spending has fallen for the third month in a row, new CSO figures reveal. The Irish Independent reports the overall volumes of goods purchased fell 1% compared with June. When car sales are stripped out, the value of goods dropped 0.6% compared with the previous month. However the cars, fuel and food business sectors recorded growth, while the biggest drops occurred in bars, department stores and pharmaceutical and cosmetic firms.
3. Topaz petrol stations lobby city council in strategic review
The owners of 10 petrol stations let to Topaz in Dublin city have undertaken a strategic review of the stations. The Sunday Tribune reports that the owners, Resource Property Investment Fund (RPIF), have asked Dublin City Council to remove the restrictions on alcohol and hot food for consumption off the premises. RPIF also wants to address the lack of grocery sector competition at six of its sites, "in recognition of their neighbourhood service function."
4. Diageo considers alcohol-pricing proposal
Diageo is considering backing a ban on selling alcohol below the cost of duty and VAT, the Irish Examiner reports. In a submission to the UK’s Home Office consultation on a proposed overhaul of licensing laws, the Guinness manufacturer said it would oppose any other kind of minimum pricing restriction. However Diageo stressed any support for such a limit would be “to address the public perception of alcohol rather than because we believe price is connected with alcohol-related harm.”
5. Sales of Jameson whiskey rise
Sales of Jameson whiskey rose 12% in the year ending June 30 as spirits group Pernod Ricard announced a 4% rise in operating profit. The Irish Times reports Pernod, the world’s second largest spirits group after Diageo, said its priorities for the 2010-11 financial year, “remain the development of our premium strategic brands, a continuing strong marketing investment level, and the reduction in group debt."
Also:
National Organic Week events to raise consumer awareness (Irish Examiner)
Lifting the cap on fuel prices (Mayo News)
-McHugh’s Texaco in Ballindine and Gallagher’s Service Station in Charlestown reportedly deliver the cheapest fuel in Co Mayo
Occupancy up, but existing shopping centre tenants charged too much (Irish Examiner)
Adults ‘punished’ by alcohol checks in supermarkets ( Mid Ulster Mail)
Urgent need for policymakers to focus on rural economy and communities (Irish Examiner)
Report shows pick-up in commercial property (Irish Examiner)
Sweet smell of success as Carlow family bakery rises again (Irish Independent)
Co-op’s food sales fall as Somerfield disruption bites (Belfast Telegraph)
Insolvencies up 14%, figures show (Irish Times)
-For the first time in 2010, insolvencies in the retail sector have not increased significantly compared to the previous year with 124 firms going bust so far in 2010 – the same figure recorded for the first eight months in 2009.
California rejects ban on plastic bags (Irish Times)
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