Tackling the Costs and Challenges facing Independent Retailers
IF&CR speaks to RGDATA Board Member and Independent Retailer Padraig Broderick.
RGDATA Director Padraig Broderick, who owns an award winning Spar supermarket in Croom Co Limerick told MC Ivan Yeats about the huge challenges facing independent retailers at a protest on 15th October outside Leinster House.
Padraig Broderick is on the Board of RGDATA and takes a key role in representing independent retailers and grocery stores. IF&CR asked Padraig about his work with RGDATA, what it’s like to be an independent retailer in Ireland in the 21st century, and why the protest at Leinster House was necessary.
What made you want to be involved in RGDATA and taking forward the interests of its members?
“I wanted to help make a difference for people like me who are running community shops and supermarkets all around the country. I had experience of being involved in the Croom Community Development Association and of being Chair of the SPAR council, so when I was asked to become a Director of RGDATA I could see the value of independent retailers working together to get things done and make things better for the sector” Padraig told IF&CR.
“RGDATA was the association that was specifically involved with representing independent grocers and was also playing a strong role in town centre renewal so I was delighted to get involved with them.”
Priorities
What are the most pertinent issues/priorities for RGDATA currently?
“The most pertinent issue for RGDATA currently is the costs and challenges associated with running an independent community food shop. We have huge hikes in employment costs due to a tsunami of new Government measures; costs for things like insurance and energy remain stubbornly high and the very future of the independent community food retail model is under threat. Other priorities also include Retail Crime, de-carbonisation and sustainability, vibrant town centres and self-sufficient villages.
Proprietor Padraig Broderick. Photo: Don MacMonagle – macmonagle.com
Challenges
Padraig owns and runs an award winning Spar supermarket in Croom Co Limerick. What are the main challenges currently?
“The main challenge I am facing in my business is dealing with all the cost increases. I have a great team of 50 people working with me in the shop in Croom and I want to ensure the shop and the jobs are secure and have a viable future. Day to day issues include driving efficiencies, dealing with ensuring Croom town centre remains vibrant and works better.
“We are very fortunate to have a won a number of awards – we won the National Q mark twice, Shelflife team of the year twice and, most recently, Small Supermarket of the year for the second time at the National Grocery Awards. This is great recognition for all the hard work that the team here at Spar Croom put in every day.
“We are a very strong team and it is great to be recognised. We were up against every other small supermarket store in Ireand – both urban and rural – coming out on top is a great achievement. Customers also appreciate it. We also like putting Croom on the map as we are very proud of what we do here” he said.
In the Community in Croom
“I have been owner of this store In Croom for 21 years. It’s a 6,700 sq ft. supermarkets style community store with a full off-licence, deli counter, in-store bakery, post office and a superb meat counter. We open at 5.30am and close at 10pm to facilitate our local customers and those customers going to Hospitals/into the city to work. The Meat counter is the backbone of our business. We were one of the first stores to offer oven ready meals under our own brand name – Brodericks of Croom – huge range is available and it is very popular with our customers.”
Government supports
“Now, we need to succeed in getting targeted Government supports to deal with the huge increase in costs and to get supports for smaller shops to progress sustainability projects – more long-term solutions not just once offs!”
Dáil March to protest lack of SME supports in Budget 2025.
Photo by Siobhan Taylor
The March on Leinster House
The march on Leinster House on 15th October demonstrated the strength of feeling and crucial need for government intervention for independent retailers.
For RGDATA members to literally take to the street in protest showed the strength of feeling on a range of issues.
“It was an overwhelming but a brilliant experience. It was great to see such a crowd turn up and you could feel the frustration and anger of the business owners. We all took the time out to go up to Dublin to protest because we just want to be heard. We are always being told that SME family-owned businesses are the backbone of the economy. We know we are. But it is time that Government actually shows that it is prepared to listen to us and to provide the supports that we so desperately need.
“I was proud to represent RGDATA and family-owned shops up at the podium. The message delivered by the business owners who attended wasn’t just VAT 9 – it was that SME feel ignored and need proper supports to deliver all that this Government wants us to deliver and to maintain our viability for the next generation of family business owners.”
Photo by Siobhan Taylor
In an Ideal World…
If you had a wish list – what would be on it?
“Targeted supports for SME food retailers. A better voice at the Cabinet table for SME businesses – and SME experienced business owners at the table when decisions are being taken.
“I am very concerned about the future of my business. I want to protect the jobs that I have and know that my store has a viable future.
“There is a lot at stake for my business, for my team, for the town of Croom. Independent food retailers are backbone of communities, we employ a lot of people. The measures that the Gov is introducing may be welcome – they are just coming at us at too fast a pace. We can’t do them all together without some sort of support.
Looking forward
How do you see the future for independent retailers – will technology / AI / a changing society have an impact?
“We can see that efficiencies can be brought to retail businesses using AI – however a lot of it is cost prohibitive. However, one of the key attributes of community shops and supermarkets like Spar Croom is the personal interaction with our customers and we will fight to keep that level of service in our stores.
Photo by Siobhan Taylor
Croom and Community
IF&CR asked Mr Broderick about Croom Co Limerick and the area his store serves, providing a real and meaningful service for the local community.
“Croom is a beautiful town, population 2,500. The Rive Maigue runs through Croom – we have a beautiful 13 acre town park, and a newly built Civic Centre – all achievements developed by Croom Development Association.
“Croom has shown what can be done if a community comes together to get things done. We are certainly bucking the trend of the decline of the town centre. Croom is a shining example of what can be done with the right collaboration and the right investment.”
