www.retailnews.ie|November 2011|Retail News|5
News EU Code to Supersede Irish Code of Practice?
Retailers expect action against other criminal activities. Crawford called for a zero approach to crimes such as shop-lifting, fuel smuggling and petrol forecourt robberies. RGDATA’s Buckley said the Government should invest in the country’s policing. “We are concerned that petty criminals have a free pass because the Gardaí don’t have the resources to pursue or prosecute them. A lot of organised gangs are involved in what others might consider petty crime, but for the retailer, it’s a significant crime against their business.” Budget 2012 should resolve the issue of upward only rents, argued Fitzsimons. “They need to get their finger out: the legislation still hasn’t been published. After publication, it goes through five stages. There are a lot of people holding on for dear life.” Fitzsimons called upon the Government to modify business costs, a sentiment echoed by the BWG boss. “Tackle the issue of local
Kieran Tobin, Chairman of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland.
government charges, including an unfair commercial rates regime, that in many cases are crippling retail businesses,” said Crawford. Frank Gleeson - Retail Ireland Chairman and Topaz Director - said the Government should think outside the box, implementing a new social welfare smart card system that people could use to spend in the domestic economy. Gleeson also called for incentives for firsttime buyers to get the property market back on its feet. Some economists argue that Ireland desperately needs an austere budget to further distinguish itself from Greece. Irish retailers, however, fear this could be at the expense of more jobs and businesses. “The irony is we can end up getting a tap on the head from the best boy or girl in the class and ending up with less people in work, fewer jobs, more retail closures, more vacant shops in our main streets and shopping centres,” concluded Tara Buckley. Meanwhile, RGDATA have urged Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton not to proceed with a sick pay proposal that will close down businesses and threaten thousands of jobs. “Furious shopkeepers who are struggling to keep their business afloat cannot believe this proposal to transfer responsibility for the first four weeks of sick pay from the State to individual employers,” said RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley. “They fear that this will be the final straw that will put them out of business and their staff out of jobs.”
NEW EU legislation, covering retailer and supplier relations, could supersede the proposed Irish Code of Practice, according to Retail Ireland. “There’s no need for an Irish Code of Practice if the European legislation is the right legislation,” Frank Gleeson, Retail Ireland Chairman and Topaz Director, Frank Gleeson, Retail Ireland Chairman and told Retail News. Topaz Retail Director. “Let’s wait and see what the Commission come up with and then review that. There’s no need to press ahead with our own Code until we see what Europe has on offer.” The proposed Irish code was primarily a supplierled initiative. Farmers, in particular, have been vocal in complaining about alleged margin-squeezing efforts of supermarkets. According to Gleeson, the EU proposal has involved a wider dialogue. “It appears much more balanced,” he said. “Our view would be anything coming out of Europe is probably more practical from an implementation perspective because it takes into account all the parties.” Gleeson added that there is little evidence for dubious retailer or supplier practices in Ireland, calling the relationship “very healthy”. Principal guidelines for the EU code of practice are likely to be released over the next three to six months.
FDII Rejects Broadcasting Recommendations AN industry food body has rejected the recommendations of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) about food advertising for children. Food and Drink Industry Ireland said the BAI’s desire to implement a UK approach to the Irish market was unworkable, since it classified products such as dairy and cereal as “unhealthy”.