Cross-border shopping exposes more than value

The politics of Frankfurt and London are not conducive to the smooth running of business in Ireland at this time of the year.

With a few choice words or the flick of a pen, politicians and central bankers can determine the Christmas shopping habits of tens of thousands of Irish people, and cause heart palpitations in the Department of Finance.

This festive season will see the biggest ‘break for the border’ since 2008 — the British cabinet’s strident Brexiteers have made sure of that.