Rising costs mean up to 100 shops close annually – CSNA tells RTE

A recent RTE report says that up to 100 local shops close annually in Ireland with at least three outlets shutting their doors every fortnight, according to the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA).

It says the future of small, mostly family-owned shops around the country is a concern for many people, particularly those who live in rural Ireland.

Flora Crowe employs around 50 people across two retail outlets in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.

Her family has a 40-year history in the retail sector, which she says is particularly challenging these days on the cost and security front.

Flora told RTE “We can’t escape the cost of wages, and we don’t know where we’re going yet with the sick pay increase and the auto-enrolment scheme. The fact they are paused is, I know, unfair on employees but we need a breather and if we can’t afford to pay these wages there will be no jobs. The last thing I want to do is cut hours. We have a fantastic workforce, and we don’t want to lose anyone.”

Newly-appointed President of the CSNA Sara Orme runs a retail and forecourt outlet, along with her husband Paul, in Devlin, Co Westmeath. Day-to-day running costs is something that Sara is concerned with.

Sara told RTE that “We’re 19 years here in April. Electricity was the big cost after Covid and Ukraine. We’ve had to become more energy efficient like doors on fridges and upgrade ovens. That has really helped.

“Waste disposal is another one and we’re really big here on recycling. We’ve really cut our prices there,” said Ms Orme, who employs 14 people.”

Gerry and Patsy Morrissey were also featured in the RTE report. They have been running Morrissey’s shop and post office in Kilmurry McMahon in west Clare for more than 40 years.

A member of the Morrissey family has operated the outlet since a shop was first opened at the location in 1869.

Gerry Morrissey, who took over the running of the shop in 1980, told RTE: “It’s great to think that we have been here that length of time. We are proud of that.”

While Gerry and Patsy are the only full-time employees, rising product costs are also a significant factor.

“Even the bar of chocolate is gone up so much,” Patsy told RTE.

“Was it last week that butter and bread went up €1 between the two of them? We don’t get an extra euro in on our income. I’d say people are finding it difficult.”

Another big cost is security and it is one that is rising.

“We’re in business 40 years and we’ve always had a certain level of crime. But since Covid there has been a marked increase in crime,” Ms Crowe said.