Shopping sprees by tourists are potentially worth €800m to the struggling retail sector both north and south of the border.

Retail sales grew by over 4% in the final three months of 2014, on a year-on-year basis, marking the largest such growth for more than seven years.

Retail Excellence Ireland has said that sales this Christmas have not been as good as anticipated.

Despite the water protests and teacher strikes, recession-hit retailers are expecting families to fork out about €1,400 per household this Christmas.

A campaign to encourage consumers to shop locally will begin tomorrow.

Savvy shoppers willing to delay their Christmas splurges until after Dec 25 have made this year’s St Stephen’s Day sales the busiest since the recession began.

Shops are facing into the “most crucial weekend ever” in the country’s retail history with Retail Excellence Ireland warning some stores face going to the wall unless they have a bumper few days ahead of Christmas.

No individual or single group of workers should have the power to bring this country to a halt.

The ESB faces losing tens of thousands of retail customers if a threatened strike by the energy company’s workers goes ahead.

The ESB workers' union has authorised the serving of notice for strike action.

Industry representative groups have welcomed the retention of the 9% Vat rate, but have largely slammed Budget 2014 as not going far enough in helping the struggling retail sector.

Marks and Spencer will open a new flagship store in Co Limerick and will overhaul its Grafton St store in Dublin following a review of its Irish operations.

The successful emergence from examinership of DIY giant B&Q (Ireland) and ladies fashion retailer Pamela Scott after releasing themselves from prohibitive rent agreements is likely to set a precedent for other similar-sized chains, according to industry representative Retail Excellence Ireland.

Retail Excellence Ireland is warning of more turmoil for high street retailers.

Consumer sentiment rebounded from a weak December last month, with new data indicating that people are less fearful of measures included in the recent budget than first thought.

The majority of companies expect to boost staff levels this year, but any pay increases are likely to be modest.

Sales of hot beverage and home/giftware products helped drive a marginal boost in retail sales during the final quarter of 2012 but little, if any, relief was felt by shop owners.

Retail Excellence Ireland has today warned of stock shortages leading into the final weekend, especially for “hot” Christmas gift products.

The digital switchover and sales of hot drinks in July during yet another “Irish summer” were among the notable exceptions as retail sales continue to fall.

Westport in Co. Mayo has been named the Best Town in Ireland, while Kilkenny has been named the best city.

Retail Excellence Ireland has said the Government's 'kite-flying' approach to budgets "is not helpful to the domestic economy".

The average spend by Irish shoppers on a visit to their local grocery store or supermarket has fallen to its lowest level in seven years.

Only an Irish summer could send the population rushing out to stock up on hot drinks and cold remedies.

A bank yesterday appointed receivers to one of the country’s largest shopping centres, built by a prominent Cork family involved in property development for almost half a century.

Retail Excellence Ireland is launching a new framework in an attempt to revitalise town centres and cities across the country.

The Irish soccer team’s involvement in this summer’s European Championships could result in a €250 million boost for domestic retailers, it has been claimed.

Retailers have welcomed new retail planning guidelines published by the Department of the Environment.

Retail sales fell for the 12th consecutive quarter in the first three months of 2012, although a pick-up was evident in March.

Retail sales continued to disappoint during the first quarter of 2012, according to Retail Excellence Ireland’s (REI) Irish Retail Industry Performance Review Q1 2012.

The country's largest retail industry group Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) has today blamed the practice of upward-only rent reviews for the closure of Peats World of Electronics.

Retail sales were down 0.3% in February with a drop of 1.7% recorded in the year, latest CSO figures published today show.

Sinn Féin has submitted a bill which it says is aimed at ending the practice of upward-only rent reviews.

The Central Statistics Office has issued retail sales figures for December 2011 that show that the value of retail sales (excluding the motor trade) increased by 1% in December 2011 compared to December 2010.

New figures from Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) have forecast December retail sales to rise by 0.68% year-on-year.

A deep recession has reshaped the retail landscape and will continue to do so over the coming years. Casualties are anticipated, and the big-name stores have as much to fear as anyone, reports Kyran FitzGerald

STRUGGLING retailers are considering starting their sales next week in a bid to boost ailing demand.

Retail Excellence Ireland has slammed the "scandalous Government u-turn" on its commitment to reform upward-only rents on commercial properties.

RETAILERS claim rents have fallen just 4% in the last two years while sales have plunged 30%.

SALES of cars, petrol and clothes all fell last month, as did sales at the country’s pubs.

RETAILERS have said it was a Black September as shoppers cut back spending on electrical goods, furniture and ladies fashion.

Retail sales levels fell at a faster rate in Q3 compared with Q2 according to a survey from Retail Excellence Ireland’s (REI).

A QUICK resolution by Government on the issue of upward-only rent reviews is vital for the retention of jobs and renewed movement in the commercial property market, it was claimed yesterday.

MANY of the country’s retailers are on a “knife edge” as shoppers keep their money in their pockets and sales continue to plunge.

BIG falls in ladies clothing and electrical goods resulted in retail sales declining by 6% in the last quarter.