New Government 'must prioritise' retail reform measures

Retail Excellence Ireland, the representative body for Ireland’s retail industry, has welcomed the new Programme for Government's commitments to act swiftly on its pledges to reform commercial rents and retail industry wage setting mechanisms.

David Fitzsimons, REI Chief Executive Officer said: "In the run up to the election, both Fine Gael and Labour put forward very progressive proposals to address the huge problems facing Ireland’s retail sector in terms of upwards only rent reviews, industry wage setting and commercial rates. With a new Programme for Government agreed, now is the time for action."

"The new administration's focus on job creation and retention is to be welcomed."

"We also welcome its commitment to introduce measures to ban upwards only rent reviews.”

“The appointment of independent chairpersons to each of the Joint Labour Committees and the move to mirror JLC pay rates with the minimum wage are also positive moves.”

“Over 44,000 people have lost their jobs in the retail industry over the past 30 months. If reform is not prioritised we estimate that another 30,000 jobs will be put at risk. We estimate that this will cost the Exchequer in the region of €600m each year.

"The new Government also needs to design and implement a series of measures to help lift Irish consumer sentiment."

“December 2010 was the 34th consecutive month of sales decline in the retail industry. As the biggest employer in Ireland, the retail industry will be central to the country’s economic recovery.”