Industry group calls for tougher tax for online retailers

With an estimated 84% of Irish consumers expected to be shopping online by 2021, Retail Excellence has echoed the UK committee's call.

Industry group Retail Excellence has echoed calls in the UK to slap higher rates of tax on big-name online retailers in a bid to protect footfall on the high street.

The British Parliament's housing, communities and local government committee has called on the likes of Amazon, Asos and Boohoo to be charged higher taxes in the UK to ease the burden on high street shops losing revenue to e-commerce. The committee has called for an online sales tax, higher Vat and 'green' taxes on shipping and packaging to be introduced to protect traditional retailers.