Top stories in the papers this week 29 October – 4 November 2011

Pic: Andrew Downes, xposure

Medicine costs to tumble as Tesco enters market; Two petrol stations closed, fuel seized after raids by Revenue; Food poverty affects 15% of population

Print

Print

News

1. Every little helps: Medicine costs to tumble as Tesco enters market

Tesco has opened its first two pharmacy outlets  in Ireland, in Naas, Co Kildare, and Balbriggan, Co Dublin  – were it intends to sell significantly cheaper medicines than other pharmacies. The Irish Independent reports the retailer is expected to introduce up to 15 pharmacies nationwide over the next year. Although popular with consumers, the Irish Pharmacy Union said the move would have serious implications for community pharmacists.

2. Two petrol stations closed, fuel seized after raids by Revenue

Raids by Revenue’s customs officers and armed gardaí have resulted in two petrol stations in Dublin being closed and almost 160,000 litres of fuel being seized during a nationwide crackdown on laundered fuel.  The Irish Indepedent reports that the raids which took place on Thursday in counties Dublin, Galway and Louth also resulted in the seizure of €39,000 under the Proceeds of Crime legislation.

3. Food poverty affects 15% of population

Social pressures around food, coupled with limited budgets are causing food poverty, which now affects just under one in six (15%) of the population.  The Irish Examiner reports a study called ‘Food on a low income’  discovered that more than two thirds  of people on low incomes (35%) experience food poverty.  Safefood noted it is now well recognised that diet-related ill-health disproportionately affects low-income households.

4. Developer makes plea for controversial €34m plan

The promoter of a contentious €34 million retail development for Ennis has appealed to the public to support his plans, ahead of a crucial vote on the development  by Ennis Town Council.  Seamus Lynch said his plan will create 300 construction jobs and "between 180 and 200 permanent  jobs ". However the Irish Examiner reports RGDATA, the Ennis Chamber of Commerce and other associations are opposing the plan.

5. Cigarettes to self-extinguish thanks to new paper

A new EU regulation means cigarettes being smoked indoors will self-extinguish if they are not picked up. The regulation requires all cigarettes sold across the EU to be modified from November 17 to reduce the risk of an accidental fire as a result of a burning cigarette being left at rest. The Evening Echo reports Irish retailers are already selling the "Low Ignition Propensity" (LIP)  cigarettes as the new designs are phased in.

6. ShelfLife shortlisted for three Irish Magazine Awards

ShelfLife is delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for three Irish Magazine Awards this year. These include Business to Business Magazine of the Year (more than 5,000 circulation), and Business Website of the Year for ShelfLife.ie. ShelfLife editor Fionnuala Carolan has also been shortlisted for the Business Editor of the Year Award.

Upon hearing the news, Fionnuala Carolan commented: "We are delighted to have been recognised by the Magazines Ireland judges again this year, and hope to emulate, or indeed, even better, our performance at the Irish Magazine Awards last year, where we received the Business Editor of the Year and Business Website of the Year Awards." 

Also:

Smuggled cigarettes are hurting local businesses claims Limerick retailer (Limerick Leader)

Kerry Group sales up by 7.9% (Irish Examiner)

Flaws in minister’s retail plans (Newsletter)

Father believes culture of cheap alcohol contributed to his son’s suicide (Irish Examiner)

Winn-Dixie loss narrows on same-store sales gains (Market Watch)

Feel the squeeze: Smoothie sales down a third as they are ‘too expensive’ for credit-crunched Brits (Daily Mail, UK)

Donegal Creameries milk and retail divisions sold (Irish Times)

Callan faces further wait for discount supermarket chain (Kilkenny Advertiser)

Concern at Tesco’s expansion into pharmacy market (Green Party.ie)

Boots still won’t say if it will cut prices (Irish Independent)

Ex-Musgrave chief joins Clerys (Irish Independent)

Another tough quarter for retail sales (Cork News)

Youngsters to test alcohol sales (Derry Journal)

The price isn’t right: Five out of six shoppers don’t believe supermarkets price cut boasts (Daily Mail, UK)

Christmas comes early for champagne drinkers: Supermarkets launch price war over festive fizz (Daily Mail, UK)

Plan to tax big stores will only hurt shoppers (Belfast Telegraph)

Asda price war targets Argos (Express, UK)

Limerick city centre receives much needed boost to retail sector (Live95fm.ie)

Assets at Lowry business Garuda fall 13% (Irish Times)

Weak demand drives slide in retail sales (Irish Times)

Auctions can still bring sales (Irish Times)

Arklow rent reduction (Irish Times)

FTSE falls another 2% after Greek referendum news, but Reckitt rises on bid talk

Fears for pharmacy jobs after move by Tesco (Irish Times)

Related Articles

Divilly Brothers expands partnership with Aldi in €4m annual deal →

Parent’s leave: What you need to know  →

Kerry Group finalises Kerry Dairy Ireland transaction →

M&S Food launches Brain Food and Yay! Mushrooms →