The retail sector is the largest private sector employer in the country and is an important part of the domestic economy. Retail is classified under Eurostat G47 NACE Classification.
Featured: Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant
As part of the Budget 2024, the government signed off on a package of €257 million for the ICOB grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Local authorities are currently administering the scheme on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Local authorities are writing out to all rate payers with information on how to register for this scheme including a customer ID and PIN to access the ICOB portal. Eligible businesses will receive a once-off grant payment and local authorities will begin paying out the grant to businesses in the coming weeks.
Please note the closing date for businesses to register for the scheme is 1 May 2024.
It is important to note, this is not a Commercial Rates waiver and businesses should continue to pay their Commercial Rates bill as normal.
For further information visit icob.ie.
Retail Forum
The Retail Forum was established in June 2014. The purpose of the forum is to allow key issues of relevance to the retail sector to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by government, or by industry itself, to support the sector with particular emphasis on achieving sustainable jobs growth in the sector.
The forum meets on a quarterly basis. Dates for Retail Forum meetings in 2024: 27 March, 19 June, 18 September and 4 December (subject to change)
View minutes of meetings of the Retail Forum held since June 2014 and recent presentations made at Retail Forum meetings.
Membership of the Retail Forum includes retail representative bodies, retailers, the City and County Managers Association and government departments.
For the purposes of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, the Retail Forum is obliged to comply with the Transparency Code as it is exempted from registering on the Lobbying Register. This also applies to any working group set up by the forum. The Retail Forum Terms of Reference outlines how the forum operates. See also, the Retail Forum's Privacy Notice.
For queries in relation to the Retail Forum please contact retail@enterprise.gov.ie.
Retail Forum Working Groups
Three working groups were convened in 2022 to drive actions in the Retail Forum’s Work Programme:
- Future of Retail – Town Centre First/Night-time Economy
Focus is to support relevant policy implementation of the Town Centre First Policy and the Report of the Night-Time Economy Task Force.
Dates for Town Centre First/Night-time Economy Working Group meetings in 2024: 7 March, 5 June, 4 September and 20 November (subject to change)
- Future of Retail – Digitalisation and Skills
Focus on driving digitalisation of the sector and working to support skills development.
Dates for Digitalisation and Skills Working Group meetings in 2024: 6 March, 5 June, 4 September and 20 November (subject to change)
- Future of Retail – Green Transition
Focus on driving best practice sustainability in the retail sector.
Dates for Green Transition Working Group meetings in 2024: 6 March, 5 June, 4 September and 20 November (subject to change)
The Retail Forum Working Groups Terms of Reference outlines how they operate.
Membership of the working groups comprises of Retail Forum members and additional external practitioners who have a particular expertise or interest in an area under discussion.
Presentations from the meetings: Presentations made at working group meetings
The working groups are chaired by officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Secretariat is provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Legislation
Legislation relevant to the retail sector
Retail sector resources
Tailored guidance for retailers about available government schemes and supports:
Energy and sustainability: government schemes and resources for retailers
Energy Efficiency Guide for Retailers - SEAI (PDF, 24MB)
Health and safety in retail - HSA
Simple safety in retailing - HSA
HSA retail publications
Guidelines for businesses on price reduction announcement obligations - CCPC
Education and training courses for retail
Intreo supports for employers - Department of Social Protection
Leading the Way
Skills for Better Business
Apprenticeship in Retail Supervision (Employer Information) - Retail Ireland Skillnet
European Year of Skills - European Union
Skills4Retail
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) - Deforestation Regulation implementation
Government consultations relevant to the retail sector
Public consultation on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 on the protection of geographical indications for craft and industrial products
Calls from the European Chemicals Agency
Retail sector study
The Future of the Irish Retail Sector report, commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and carried out by KPMG Future Analytics, was completed in October 2022. The report sets out 14 recommendations which are now part of the Retail Forum’s Work Programme.
Retail statistics
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: DETE Data Dashboard
European Commission: Retail Restrictiveness Indicator
Central Statistics Office (CSO):
Retail Sales Index
Retail Sales Generated Online
Ireland's Retail Economy
Business Demography
Related information
Local Enterprise Office
Enterprise Ireland
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
Workplace Relations Commission
Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Online Retail Scheme
Responsible Business
Europe fit for the Digital Age: New online rules for businesses
Ireland in the Digital Economy and Society Index
European Commission Transition Pathway for Retail Report
FAQ – EU Regulation 2023/1115 on certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010
An Garda Síochána commences Operation Táirge
White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030
Bills and Acts of the Oireachtas
Disclaimer:
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information/material contained on the Retail sector in Ireland webpage, the department, its servants or agents assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided in the website and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions.
The webpage sometimes links to external sites over which the department has no control and accepts no responsibility.
No document on the site is a legal interpretation and should not be seen as such. If you need professional or legal advice you should consult a suitably qualified person.