Retailers predict further drop in staff numbers as freeze puts dent in sales

WELL over half of retailers surveyed expect employee numbers to fall in the coming months with many saying business is down by a third due to the weather.

Two thirds also rate the prospects for their business over the three months as poor or very poor.

According to Retail Ireland just 3% of retailers expect employee numbers to increase in the next two months, while more than half expect the profitability of their businesses to drop by February.