# Retail
This month
November 2023
Supervalu closes 'non-viable' supermarkets amid stiff competition for customers
The grocery chain has closed supermarkets in some busy areas this year.
This year
2023
Retail summit to discuss concerns over food prices in Ireland
The meeting has been called by Neale Richmond, the junior minister with responsibility for retail business.
Irish consumers warned annual grocery bills may rise by €1,211
Value grocery sales increased by 13.3%, up from 10.2% in February, according to Kantar.
Argos set to close all Irish outlets by June
The company employs around 580 people across 34 stores in Ireland.
Ikea to open first Irish distribution centre
And the children’s play area in the Ballymun store is set to reopen.
Last year
2022
Penneys accounts show €72 million less revenue last year
The company’s stores opened for Christmas 2020 but closed in January and didn’t reopen until May 2021.
Flannels and H&M announce new flagship stores in Clerys Quarter
The two leading retailers will open new stores on the O’Connell street site later this year.
All time
'Some staff reported being spat at': Public asked to respect shop workers as sales begin
Labour shortages and abuse from customers have made the work environment more difficult this year.
Brown Thomas and Arnotts sold in €4.7bn Selfridges deal
The two department stores form part of the Selfridges group, which is being sold by the Weston family.
Poll: Have you seen or experienced a customer verbally abusing retail staff around Christmas?
A trade union has received “worrying reports” of an increase in the number of altercations with customers in recent weeks.
Shop workers were the most likely to catch Covid-19 in the most recent two waves of the pandemic
Retail assistants, cashiers and checkout operators were the workers most likely to contract the virus in the second and third waves.
Around 10% of Ikea product lines 'unavailable' due to supply chain issues
IKEA said there are “too many product lines” affected in Ireland to list the items that are unavailable.
Workers petition Dunnes Stores for pandemic pay increase to be made permanent
Staff received a temporary 10% pay increase in March 2020.
High street retail giant Gap to close all Ireland and UK stores
The company said it intends to take business online ‘in a phased manner’.
Happy shoppers return to stores but city retailers warn that tourism and office workers are still key
Customers can expect social distancing enforcement, one way traffic systems and lots of hand sanitiser.
Non-essential retail is allowed to resume from today
Face coverings are still mandatory to wear for customers and staff
Queues at some stores but reopening generally more low key than last year
Footfall a boost for cities but retailers warn tourism is still important
Inter-county travel and home visits among raft of re-opening measures that begin today
Here are all the restrictions that will be lifted today.
Retailer's organisation says industry can't afford another lockdown
Retail Excellence says the sector will need major financial support from the government in the months ahead.
Penneys announce shopping by appointment ahead of full reopening
The retailer will announce the date when it will start taking bookings for appointments to visit their stores.
Boris Johnson confirms that non-essential retail and gyms will reopen next week
However, he warned against complacency in the fight against Covid-19.
Retail sector 'deeply shocked' by continued ban on click and collect services until May
At the earliest, non-essential shops may be allowed to offer click and collect again from 4 May.
'Increasingly antagonistic' people not wearing masks in shops as retailers ask for higher vaccine priority for staff
RGDATA is asking for frontline retail staff to be vaccinated quicker.
Aldi to create 1,050 jobs across the country, including 700 permanent roles
The supermarket chain plans to open a number of new stores in Ireland this year.
December saw record-high grocery sales, but less money spent on whole turkeys
Sales of smaller cuts of meat such as turkey rolls and roast pork increased.
Click and collect services for non-essential retail banned under new restrictions
The decision to ban click and collect services comes following a Cabinet meeting this afternoon.
Non-essential retail to remain open under Level 5 but shops asked to defer January sales
“The retail sector will be requested to defer January sales events,” the Taoiseach said this afternoon announcing the measures.
Boost for supermarkets as sales of mince pies, Christmas biscuits and alcohol soar ahead of festive season
Dunnes Stores leads the way in terms of market share, just ahead of Supervalu, according to the latest Kantar figures.
Retailers prepare for 'make or break' Christmas run-in with longer opening hours and 24-hour shopping
Non-essential retailers will be allowed to re-open from next Tuesday.
Retailers call on government to move forward re-opening of sector to Monday
Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the Level 5 exit plan.
Poll: Do you plan to do most of your Christmas shopping in person?
The Taoiseach has said that the country will move back to Level Three restrictions from 1 December.
'We have to get the doors open before Christmas': Retailers and pubs call for clarity on re-opening
The Vintners Federation of Ireland said outdoor-only service is “useless” for many pubs.
'Children will be able to get clothes': Taoiseach says retailers should take compassionate approach
The row over essential and non-essential retail items has been rumbling on since Level 5 restrictions were introduced last week.
Tesco to create 450 full-time jobs across the country
The supermarket chain said it is also to create 700 temporary positions for the Christmas period and is already recruiting for these roles.
Larger retailers 'abusing' Level 5 by remaining open for non-essential sales, retail group claims
Retail Excellence Ireland has said it is writing to the Tánaiste over its concerns.
Two men charged over thefts at retail premises in five counties
The two men aged in their 20s and 30s were arrested on Monday.
River Island tells UK staff 350 jobs to be cut in management shake-up
The move comes just a month after it had already said it would cut 250 head office staff as part of cost-cutting measures.
It's not up to retail staff to police mask-wearing, union says
Shoppers and retail staff will be required to wear face coverings in stores as the government slows down Ireland’s phased reopening.
Poll: Have you felt uncomfortable in a shop recently?
Concerns have been raised about the lack of social distancing and people wearing masks in some instances.
