Local retailers suffer - Small shops right to call for fair play

THE recession is likely to hit a wide range of jobs, not just in the construction sector but throughout the economy.

The retail sector is already seriously hit by a variety of factors — lower consumer confidence, harder economic times, rising costs, tougher credit terms from banks, higher VAT and commercial rates.

RGDATA, which represents the country’s 4,000 independent retailers, contends that local retailers are facing unfair competition from the larger multiples. Independent retailers still command 40% of the retail trade, but they are being squeezed by competition from the larger supermarkets. These are competing with one another by offering a high level of discounts that are approaching price-war proportions.