The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are undertaking the Retail Industry Survey 2021. The aim of the survey is to identify and analyse key factors that have impacted the retail sector in recent years & address future trends, opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The survey will close on the 18th October 2021.
Background to the Survey
Prior to the pandemic the Retail Sector employed over 300,000 people. It plays an important role in the economy, providing employment as well as goods for society and businesses. The retail sector plays a key role in Ireland’s domestic economy across every city, town and village and it provides a key channel to market for Irish manufacturers and services providers in the economy with significant multiplier impacts. The level of choice, competition and retail experience are important contributors to consumer welfare. The sector faces significant pressures and challenges including international competition, advances in technology, and the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. These and other factors have and will continue to have significant impacts on buyer behaviour, on the sourcing and supply of retail goods and ultimately on the viability, adaptability of retail businesses and on the direction of retail sector.
The Study will provide an evidence-based foundation for ongoing engagement with retail sector stakeholders and will identify retail sector policy options for consideration by the Department and ultimately by Government and will identify the immediate issues facing the retail sector (in Ireland). It will identify and analyse the impacts of the likely future trends, opportunities and challenges facing the retail sector (in Ireland) and will take account of what is happening in other relevant policy areas impacting on the retail sector.
The research will result in a set of recommendations to the Department on policy approaches to the developmental priorities and needs of the retail sector, with a view to increasing productivity and innovation and with a specific focus on aligning these with existing policy objectives in relation to digitalisation, climate change and skills.
Please click here to view some of the supports currently available to retail businesses and should you wish to discuss how the Local Enterprise Office Kildare may be of assistance to you then please contact the office by phone on (045) 090 838 or email localenterprise@kildarecoco.ie
