Top stories in the papers this week 23 – 30 October 2012
Four off-licences sold drink to 15-year-old girl, court hears; Volume and value of retail sales up 0.9%; Putting a high value on own-brand
Print30 October 2012
1. Four off-licences sold drink to 15-year-old girl, court hears
A 15-year-old girl was able to buy drink from four off-licences in Co Louth last December, Drogheda District Court has heard. The Irish Times reports the teenager was taking part in a Garda clampdown on underage drink sales and had been accompanied by a garda in plain clothes. The court heard that in all cases new procedures had been put in place by the retailers named in the article and gardaí had again inspected the premises to prevent a repeat.
2. Volume and value of retail sales up 0.9%
The latest monthly CSO figures measured a 0.9% rise in the volume and value of consumer spending compared to August, with electronic goods sellers, department stores, and bars benefiting most. The Irish Examiner reports that while commentators welcomed the latest figures, most viewed them as something of a positive blip – saying the run-up to the unveiling of Budget 2013 will see consumer spending dry up again.
3. Putting a high value on own-brand
The Irish Times reports on the recent conference organised by accountancy firm Grant Thornton, entitled ‘Food 4.0: The dynamics of supply & demand’. The article discusses Grant Thornton’s research on how the perception of value has changed among Irish consumers, and how this has subsequently increased the popularity of private-label brands, although shoppers still expect quality even when trading down. Some suppliers of private-label goods were also in attendance.
4. Unemployed miss out on casual work
Thousands of unemployed people are missing out on the possibility of casual work, particularly within the retail sector during Christmas, due to concerns it would take months to regain their benefits if they had to return to the dole. The Irish Independentreports Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton has moved to assure unemployed workers that social welfare claims can be quickly reactivated after their period of casual employment has ended.
5. New diesel marker may stop fuel cheats
Authorities in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain are working on a new diesel fuel marker which is aimed at closing down the €150 million-a-year illegal fuel industry. The Irish Times reports news of the joint scheme was contained in a report on the haulage industry launched by the Oireachtas Committee on Transport last week.The report also called for greater penalties for retailers in the Republic who are caught selling laundered diesel.
Also:
Illegal trade costs State €860m in lost revenue (Sunday Independent)
Quarter of diesel sold in NI illegal (Newsletter)
Four new shops open in Limerick’s Parkway (Limerick Leader)
OFT: Third of online retailers guilty of breaking consumer laws (Dublin News)
Oakland happy to take on Italian job (Fingal Independent)
Retailers accused of taking high margins as poultry companies struggle (Offaly Express)
Louth diesel seizure: Government must tackle black market (IBEC)
Pharmacy chain Boots in Cork and Galway jobs announcement (Irish Examiner)
Waterford has Ireland’s biggest problem with illegal cigarettes (Waterford Today)
Athlone has highest retail vacancy rate among Irish ‘high streets’ (West Meath Independent)
Big demand abroad for capable farmers (Irish Times)
Positive sign as retail sales up last month (Irish Times)
Cork firms announce 200 jobs (Irish Times)
Increase in Irish retail sales (Irish Times)
Decision in favour of Cork retail centre challenged (Irish Times)
Returns rise 4.8% over last four quarters (Irish Times)
Baby food firm pitching for £50k top prize after regional heat win (Belfast Telegraph)
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