Top stories in the papers this week November 26 – December 3 2012
C-Store award winners announced; Six out of 10 retailers expect to match or better last year's Christmas trade; Retail Ireland urges Govt to slash spending in Budget
Print3 December 2012
1. Ireland’s top Convenience Store announced at Gala ceremony
Tobin’s Topaz/Spar in Letterkenny Co Donegal has been named as Ireland’s top Convenience Store by industry magazine ShelfLife at an Awards Ceremony in Dublin on November 28th 2012. The ShelfLife Awards, now in its 12th year was set up to acknowledge stores and individuals that set the standards for the industry. The Offaly Express reports on their local winners.
2. Retail Ireland urges Govt to slash spending in Budget
The employers group which represents the retail sector has said the Government should focus on boosting the domestic economy in this week’s Budget. Breaking News reports that Retail Ireland’s Budget submission calls for the Government to slash spending instead of raising taxes. It said the focus should be on boosting consumer confidence and helping small businesses. The Director of Retail Ireland, Stephen Lynam says helping domestic retailers is the key to economic growth.
3. Six out of 10 retailers expect to match or better last year’s Christmas trade
A survey has shown six out of 10 retailers are expecting an improvement, or at least a similar level of business this December compared to last year. The Irish Examiner says Retail Excellence Ireland has surveyed 173 companies ahead of the festive period. The participants have more than 1,550 stores around the country. The group said that although the upcoming budget and wintry weather would have a "significant influence" on trading, it was clear retailers are becoming bullish about their future prospects.
4. Smokers’ group: High taxation on cigarettes ‘not working’
The Government should cut the price of a packet of cigarettes by €1 in next month’s budget, say campaigners. Breaking News reports the smokers’ group Forest Eireann has said the move would reduce smuggling and boost both the retail trade and household finances without impacting on public health or government revenues. Spokesman John Mallon said that since 2005 smoking rates in Ireland have increased and revenues have remained flat, despite a near doubling of tobacco duty. The reason, says Forest Eireann, is a significant increase in smuggled cigarettes.
5. Retailers make up 10% of failed businesses
Just over one in 10 of companies that collapsed so far this year were retailers, according to new figures from company information group Vision-net. According to the Irish Independent, Vision-net’s figures show that 12% of all insolvencies so far this year were in the retail sector, compared with 14% for the same period last year. "Retailers are reporting that average transaction values are down and our analysis shows that a higher than average proportion of companies in this sector fall into the high-risk category. However, the run-up to Christmas is always the busiest period for retailers so hopefully the high street will show signs of increased consumer demand at this time of year," said Vision-net boss Christine Cullen.
Also:
Kettyle Irish Foods secures £1.2m Albert Heijn bacon deal (BBC)
Further boost for retail centre as five new shops to open (Belfast Telegraph)
Shoppers urged to stay in Newbridge (Leinster Leader)
Retail recovery should not be taken for granted (IBEC)
Retail sector still fragile despite 6pc sales rise — Retail Ireland (Business and Leadership)
Kingfisher profits down by 6% (Irish Times)
Figures show extent of retailers’ pain (Business World)
One in 10 Northern Ireland people can afford Christmas (Dublin News)
The cost of cheap clothes at Wal-Mart, Sears (Dublin News)
Parcel Motel has landed in Dundalk at Texaco on the Dublin Road (Dundalk Democrat)
15% off-sales alcohol tax proposed (Irish Times)
Council shoots down Aldi plans (Limerick Post)
Workers seek lost-pay compensation after Bangladesh factory fire (Irish Examiner)
Canada – Shocking last resort over meat packer (Meat Trade News Daily)
Online retailers braced for rush (Belfast Telegraph)
An Post puts on extra vans to cope with surge in online orders (Irish Independant)
Land-based fish farms now part of aquaculture’s future (Irish Times)
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