Retailers blame costs for high prices charged in Ireland

Irish retailers have defended the prices they charge for their products during an appearance before the Oireachtas committee on enterprise and small business today.

Richard Nesbitt, the chairman of Retail Ireland, told the committee that the high prices charged by retailers were necessary because of high wages, transport costs and waste-disposal charges.

He said comparing Irish prices with those of other countries without taking these factors into account was unfair.

Mr Nesbitt also said the Groceries Order was keeping prices artificially high. The order, which outlaws below-cost selling, was introduced to save small retailers from being undercut by large supermarkets.