Only 1% of retailers give top marks to Coalition

The Government has scored poorly in a report that shows just 1% of retailers would award the Coalition top marks for its performance in helping the sector.

Fewer than two in 10 retailers feel the Government is doing enough to make credit more freely available to their businesses. Some 83% of those surveyed — on behalf of Food & Hospitality Ireland, Checkout magazine, and the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association — feel the Government needs to increase its efforts to have the banking sector increase lending to retailers.

Its performance garnered a ‘C’ grade among 41% of retailers, with 32% awarding a ‘D’ grade. Just 1% felt the Coalition was deserving of an ‘A’.

The dissatisfaction of business owners is further reflected in the fact that 45% of respondents are either “not that confident” or “not at all confident” in the Government’s strategy.

“Retailers have shown through this survey that they are very concerned that some of the policies that the Government are pursuing will have negative consequences for a sector that is a significant employer,” said association chief executive Vincent Jennings.

“Without doubt, the greatest level of discontent is evidenced in retailers’ views on the banking sector. The inability of the State to ensure SMEs are dealt with fairly will continue to be one of our greatest concerns.”

In advance of next month’s budget, the survey also highlighted the measures retailers would like to see introduced.

Predictably, there is strong support for retaining the 9% Vat rate first introduced in July 2011.

A call to revert back to an employer PRSI rate of 4.35% also received strong backing from almost 70% of retailers with the same proportion of those surveyed opposing a ban on alcohol sponsorship of sporting events.

Opinion is split on the effects of the introduction of plain packaging legislation for tobacco products.

An almost equal split between those feeling it would increase illicit trade; have no effect on consumption; and see consumers switch to cheaper products, was recorded. Just 13% believed it would lead to consumers smoking less.