ISME: State has ‘failed’ retailers

The Government has failed retailers according to their representative bodies following a further fall in retail sales in May according to figures released by the CSO.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) said that the latest fall in sales in May of 1.7% were evidence that the sector was on its knees and needed a policy group set up to aid the sector.

ISME CEO Mark Fielding said: “It is time that our government realised that the retail industry is not just a small number of over-dominant grocery multiples; it comprises of every shop and store in every street, village and town.