More than half of Irish retailers take neutral or positive outlook on sector

IRISH retailers are becoming more positive about the future despitethe challenging environment they face, research shows.

Not least of those difficulties is the cost of doing business here, identified by 86% of those polled as a major obstacle to growing their businesses.

The changed spending patterns of a more price-focused consumer haveimpinged dramatically on the retail sector over recent months, according to a poll by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which includes the view of key retailers operating in this economy.