The retail sector is showing signs of recovery, according to Retail Ireland.

The lobby group Retail Ireland has called on the Government to cut income taxes, promote better regulation for the sector and do nothing to add to business costs.

The grocery market is to be strongly regulated to ensure fairness between suppliers and retailers.

January saw the largest annualised volume increase in retail sales in almost a decade, CSO data has revealed.

Retail Ireland, the main lobby group for the country’s retailers, is forecasting an increase in consumer spending of 1.3% for this year — the first increase in five years.

Retail sales rose by 1% on a year-on-year basis in September, fuelling hope of an overall modest annual increase for 2013, even though the latest stats were distorted by car purchases.

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.

A survey carried out by Retail Ireland has found that rates in the capital could jump by 30% - 80% to fund the upkeep of the premises.

The Government has failed retailers according to their representative bodies following a further fall in retail sales in May according to figures released by the CSO.

Irish consumers are expected to be spending as much as €21bn on online purchases by 2017, with new estimates predicting a 40% annual increase in web-based transactions over the coming years as consumer habits change further.

Retail Ireland have said the Government have a major part to play in stabilising the retail market.

Irish shoppers are forking out up to a third more than their British counterparts for many items in shops.

Irish business groups have today welcomed the High Court's decision in today's case relating to upward-only rents.

Independent grocers’ group RGData has called on the Government to lift the “veil of secrecy” from the profits made by large multiple retailers.

The first quarter of 2013 will be a key indicator of the health of the retail sector for the coming year, according to one of the industry’s main representative bodies.

Retailers are hoping an extra weekend before Christmas will pay dividends for their sales after a lean five years.

Irish Farmers Association president John Bryan said the measures in Budget 2013, including changes to PRSI, will put some farmers out of business.

A call has been made for the budget to be moved from its regular December slot, in a bid to boost end-of-year consumer spending patterns.

The employers group which represents the retail sector has said the Government should focus on boosting the domestic economy in next month's Budget.

Retail Ireland is calling on the Government to introduce measures to keep spending in the domestic economy.

Retail Ireland has told a Dáil committee that full implementation of recommendations it recently made about tackling the black market economy could save the exchequer about €400m to €500m annually, and help create “tens of thousands of jobs” in retail.

Cheese, fresh meats, and baby food are among the most common items stolen from supermarkets, as shoplifting rates soar.

The country’s largest trade union group says some employers are engaging in “invasive” character checks on jobseekers, including on their financial circumstances, which could make it more difficult to secure employment.

New figures from the Central Statistics Office have put the rate of inflation at its lowest level since December of 2010.

Top retailers including Penneys, Marks and Spencer, Brown Thomas, and Next have imposed a ban on the sale of sexually suggestive children’s clothes.

Ten high street stores have enforced a strict code to outlaw provocative and sexually-suggestive clothes being sold for children.

Consumer spending has fallen by 21% in cash terms since hitting a peak in 2007, the latest data from the Central Statistics Office indicates.

Retail Ireland is advocating a yesvote in the forthcoming EU Fiscal Treaty referendum.

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

Shoppers around the country can hope to avail of some bargains this weekend as many shops decide to stay open.

Fearful households may be killing job creation with caution by scrimping to save rather than spend in the cash-starved economy, according to a director of the body representing the retail sector.

A new code of practice is on the way to ensure retailers do not market provocative clothing at young children.

Retail Ireland has said that the new inflation figures shows that retailers are keeping prices low and consumers continue to avail of great value.

Employers group IBEC has called on the Government to renew its focus on jobs and confidence in the domestic economy following publication of the results of the CSO survey on household cutbacks.

Pre- and post-Christmas purchases are up on 2011, according to retailers.

The Irish Brewers Association (IBA) has released new figures showing that the Irish beer market has declined by 3% in the year to date.

CONSUMERS are buying more alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences, both of which now account for a third of all alcohol sales.

The share of beer sold in Irish pubs fell significantly in 2010, according to the Irish Brewers Association (IBA).