Q: Congratulations on your new role as Commercial Director at Certa Ireland, part of DCC plc. What does this new position involve?

“Thanks! I’m enjoying the new challenge. The new role is at the heart of driving the continued success of Certa as a leading energy brand in Ireland and a pioneering business in terms of energy transition for our customers” said Diarmuid.

“On the day-to-day, I’m busy working across the various departments in the business, collaborating with them to achieve the businesses objectives from a commercial perspective and endeavouring to grow our reach, footprint and impact on the energy landscape.

Q: What are your priorities as Commercial Director for Certa Ireland?

“My priorities are all based around the idea of building upon the great work that that has been done within Certa to date.

“One key objective as we continue our energy transition journey is supporting our expert teams in championing our renewable energy products. We have established ourselves as the leading supplier of HVO in Ireland to both businesses and consumers, giving our customers a viable low-carbon fuel alternative when it comes to fuelling their business fleets & machinery or indeed for fuelling their cars, and even heating their homes, through the launch of our HVO/kerosene blend heating fuel – EcoMax which we launched in 2024.

“Additionally, we are now a leading supplier of solar energy to Irish business & homes through our acquisition of Alternative Energy Ireland (AEI). Both of these products allow us give more power to our customers to choose greener energy solutions for their home and business.

“Next, with our ever-growing commercial team operating across various sectors – home heating, commercial fuels, solar energy, lubricants, retail, and more, I want to support all of our colleagues and teams to innovate and work together to develop and improve our offering to our customers. We have a culture of being bold & courageous, but also being One Team. We understand the importance of pulling in the same direction and I want to push that vision forward!”

Q: What key messages would you want to give IFCR readers regarding Certa Ireland?

“Only that we are a progressive business that has bold plans for the future! We want to make sure we give our customers the power to choose more sustainable solutions, and we will be continuing to deliver on this strategy in 2025 and beyond.”

Q: Will we see new forecourts in Ireland?

“Yes, absolutely. Our retail strategy is being actively led by Yvonne Hargroves, who heads up our retail team and brings extensive experience and energy to the role. Yvonne and her team are continually exploring new opportunities to grow the Emo dealer network across Ireland.

“Emo is a brand with deep roots in local communities, and we’re focused on partnering with dealers who share our values and commitment to quality. We’re always open to conversations with operators who are interested in joining the Emo family and benefiting from the strong support we provide. If you’re considering your options, we’d love to hear from you to discuss how Emo could support your business.”

Q: Are you overseeing the Emo Brand too as Commercial Director?

“Yes, I am—and it’s a key part of my remit as Commercial Director. The Emo retail business sits within the commercial team, which allows us to take a more integrated and strategic approach to supporting our dealers. With Yvonne leading the retail team, we’re combining deep sector expertise with a forward-thinking commercial strategy. This structure enables us to bring greater value to our Emo partners—whether through introducing renewable fuel options like HVO, supporting energy transition with solar solutions, or offering premium products like our Castrol lubricants.

“Our goal is to ensure dealers have the tools they need to future-proof their business and deliver best-in-class service to their customers. If you’re interested in learning more about what partnering with Emo looks like, we’d be delighted to start that conversation.

Q: The past few years have seen a flurry of great commercial developments for Certa Ireland, as part of DCC plc. The company structure can be a little confusing – could you give readers a whistlestop tour of the company structure?

“Absolutely! It’s not as complex as you might think.

“Certa is the coming together of multiple fuel and oil brands that were all under the DCC plc banner, and we wanted to give customers a more simple process of dealing with us. We merged all these businesses into Certa in 2022, however we maintained the Emo brand for our retail network as these were integral parts of local communities across Ireland. In 2023 we acquired Alternative Energy Ireland and that business operates under that name for the same reasons – it is one of Irelands longest serving solar brands and is well respected in the industry.

“Most of our business operations are through the Certa brand, but we still operate both the Emo and AEI names for their respective industries.”

Q: Horizon scanning – what’s coming up for Certa – anything new and exciting you can tell us about?

“We’ve got plenty of exciting news on the horizon. I can’t reveal all but we’ll certainly be continuing to grow the renewables side of our business and we’ll be continuing to grow our nationwide team who are the backbone of our expanding business.

Q: Tell me about your career to date?

“I’m originally from Dublin, living in Cork now for over a decade.  I have spent time in Galway and New Jersey earlier in my career. I studied Hotel Management in Galway RTC followed by a Masters in Marketing in the UCD Smurfit School of Business.

“Following my studies I began my career in media sales.  I enjoyed some challenging senior commercial roles in UTV, The Star Newspaper, Today FM and more recently as CEO of Cork’s RedFM for over 10 years.

Q: What business ethos inspires you – how does this carry through to your day-to-day work?

“One of Certa’s core values is One Team.  I’m a big advocate for collaboration with colleagues, customers and all stakeholders to ensure we arrive at the best possible solutions in all situations.  One of the key inspirations for me is working with motivated and talented people, we have an abundance of such people here in Certa.”

Q:Tell me a bit about Diarmuid O’Leary the person – any interests/hobbies etc you’d like to share.

“I’m married to Elaine Shields and we have three daughters Cara, Erica and Kate. It’s a busy house with many commitments almost every night of the week.  Outside of work, I’m a big sports enthusiast – I enjoy following all Irish rugby teams and coaching with the under 10’s girls team in Nemo Rangers, Cork.  I’m also a keen cyclist.  I find getting out on the bike is a great way to clear the head and stay active. I also love to cook at home and, whenever possible, enjoy eating out with family.

Q: Closing comments – is there anything you’d like included in the interview not covered above. You will of course get to see the editorial and page layouts for sign-off before the magazine goes out.

“This a very exciting time to be involved in the energy industry in Ireland and around the world.  There are many opportunities to explore and Certa continue to work hard to ensure we are the forefront of this innovative sector.”

The post Building on Strong Foundations – IF&CR talks to Certa’s recently appointed Commercial Director Diarmuid O’Leary appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The huge increase in the cost of doing business in convenience retail was the key driver of RGDATA campaigning activity in 2024 with weekly interactions with Government and regulators on the huge increased burdens they were putting on hard pressed family owned essential shops. RGDATA delegations led by President Colin Fee and Directors Padraig Broderick, Annie Timothy, Rachel Twomey and Leona Pender, with support from individual members who travelled from all over the country, made passionate representations to Ministers, Public Servants, and Government and Opposition TDs and Senators.

In what was a first for RGDATA , we took to the streets and supported an SME Day of Protest march through Dublin city centre finishing up outside Leinster House . There impassioned SME business owners from retail and hospitality including RGDATA Director Padraig Broderick, were invited on stage by MC Ivan Yeats. They made strong pleas to the Government to address the crippling costs, make a meaningful PRSI intervention and reduce VAT on food service.

“We are an award winning supermarket in the centre of Croom – yet the future looks bleak,”  Padraig told the crowd. He got a great cheer when he said that he had recently extended his shop into the empty bank building next store – the bank that had tried to close him down during the previous recession.

Budget 2025 & Election 2024

RGDATA developed 7 Asks for Budget 2025 and we did an Election 2025 campaign highlighting the necessary interventions that the new Government needed to keep viable local independent shops and supermarkets at the heart of vibrant communities.

RGDATA sought assurances from the political parties about supporting local independent shops and after the election we ensured that many of these issues were included in the Programme for Government. The next challenge is to make sure that the promises about supporting SME businesses are delivered on and the commitments made in the Programme for Government become a reality.

RGDATA’s nominee to the Upper House, Senator Barry Ward was elected a Fine Gael TD in the DunLaoghaire Rathdown constituency leaving an option open to nominate anew candidate to contest the 2025 Seanad election. RGDATA nominated outgoing Fianna Fail Senator Mary Fitzpatrick for a seat on the Industrial & Commercial Panel.  Mary spent January travelling the highways and byways to get votes from Councillors across the country and was elected. She will be a strong voice for family owned shops in the Seanad and in the Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party.

Retail Crime

The daily challenges posed to shop owners and their families and staff by increasing violent and aggressive perpetrators of retail crimes was another significant campaigning issue for RGDATA.

A significant meeting with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Retail at which RGDATA , the other retail trade organisations and individual shop owners told the Ministers and Garda representatives about the daily reality of dealing with retail crime and voiced suggestions about how to tackle it. In a positive move most of those suggestions are now in the Programme for Government agreed by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and a group of Independents. 2025 will see that campaign to tackle retail crime continue and we must ensure that all the promises made by Ministers Helen McEntee and Emer Higgins are now delivered by the new Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the new Retail Minister Alan Dillon.

RGDATA’s Annual Crime Survey 2024 also got a lot of coverage but the depressing statistics continue to reveal that more action is needed to deal with this vital issue for the safety and security of our shops, the people working in them and the customers supporting them.

Deposit Return Scheme

2024 also saw Ireland launching it’s a deposit and return scheme for PET bottles and aluminium cans. Independent retailers were at the coalface – investing in Reverse Vending Machines and introducing customers to a whole new way of recycling their beverage containers.

Much time and effort was put in by shop owners and their staff dealing with malfunctioning RVMs, a transition period where barcodes and Re-Turn logos were not always present, emptying, cleaning and re-loading RVMs and dealing with frustrated customers.

As the scheme reached its first birthday on February 1 2025, Re-Turn announced that over 1 billion containers have been returned and recycled.

In quarter 1 2025 the Retail Handling Fee is being reviewed and RGDATA has two representatives on the Re-Turn Retailer Forum and we still hold the position of representative of the non-producer retailers on the Board of DRSI.

A delegation comprising RGDATA members from the Minister’s constituency led by RGDATA Board Director and Super Valu retailer, Rachel Twomey, highlighted the additional cost implications of the increased National Minimum Wage

Looking ahead to 2025

As the new Government, albeit looking very similar to the old one, gets its feet under the table there are already a few pressing issues that need to be addressed.

Business Costs

The ink wasn’t dry on the party manifesto promises to tackle costs for small businesses when the then Minister for Health signed new regulations adding €1,800 annual licence fees for shops that sell tobacco and vape products. There has been no consultation on this massive increase and no SME test to check if it is reasonable, necessary and affordable. RGDATA has made representations to Enterprise Minister Dara Burke and Retail Minister Alan Dillon. The Programme for Government promises to tackle SME business costs with a new forum and RGDATA is seeking for this to get up and running and for the SME test to be applied to these all other licence and fee costs.

Retail Crime

RGDATA will be pushing here for the promises made by both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to tackle retail crime to become a reality. This includes a new Taskforce on Retail Crime and commitments to explore fixed penalty notices for shoplifting and Anti-Social Behaviour, a compensation package for victims of retail crime and a specific crime of violence against retail workers. The changes to the Defamation laws have also been revived and EGDATA will be seeking amendments to the Bill so that it works for shop owners and staff working in shops.

Insurance Costs

Despite all the hard work by RGDATA and the Alliance for Insurance Reform throughout 2024 the depressing outcome continues to be stubbornly high premiums. There has been no discernible budge from the insurance companies despite all the reforms impacting on claims, pay outs and costs. To add salt to the wound the Judicial Council came out in December recommending a 17% increase in personal injury awards.

RGDATA will be working together with all the other SME businesses to do everything we can to persuade Government not to deliver on the Judicial Council’s recommendation. The AIR insurance costs survey is currently live and we will be encouraging members to fill it in so we have strong data to work with.

Retail Planning & Vibrant Town Centres

RGDATA will continue to be the only trade association that actively engages in the planning process and we will be keeping a close watch on any proposed changes to planning laws that might impact on the Retail Planning Guidelines and the Town Centre First policy. The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to Town Centre First and promises some new schemes relating to dereliction and vacancy and living over the shop.

Garvey’s SuperValu

The post What a Whirlwind! RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley Reviews 2024 and takes a look at what’s in store for 2025   appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Navigating Challenges in the Forecourt Industry: Rising Costs, Policy Changes, and Crime

The forecourt industry in the UK is currently navigating through a turbulent period marked by escalating operational costs, significant policy changes, and an increase in crime. These challenges have a profound impact on family-run businesses, which form the backbone of this sector.

Rising Costs and Changes in National Insurance and National Living Wage

The recent changes in National Insurance (NI) rates and the National Living Wage (NLW) are putting additional financial pressure on forecourt operators. The increase in NI contributions, alongside the rise in NLW, means businesses must now manage higher payroll expenses. In response to these economic pressures, many forecourt owners are turning to innovative solutions. Investing in car washing machinery, particularly standalone jet washes has become a popular strategy to bolster profits during these tough times in fuel and food retailing. Moreover, the installation of solar panels at many forecourts is proving to be a forward-thinking move to slash energy bills, thereby offering some relief from the rising operational costs .

Business Property Relief and Inheritance Tax

One of the significant fiscal concerns for family-run forecourt businesses is the Business Property Relief on Inheritance Tax. The potential changes could drastically affect investment capabilities: Family forecourt outlets might need to reconsider their investment strategies to accommodate this new financial burden.

There’s a risk that some filling stations might be sold off, while others might lack the funds to continue operations, potentially leading to closures. The reduction in the number of filling stations could have detrimental effects on both the economy and the UK’s energy resilience. Consequently, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has actively encouraged its members to engage directly with political figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and local MPs, urging a policy review. The PRA has provided a template letter to simplify this communication, highlighting the dire consequences of these changes on family businesses. In addition, the PRA is working with Family Business UK who have garnered together over 30 other trade associations to lobby for a policy reversal .

Combatting Crime in Forecourts

Crime, particularly fuel theft and in-store incidents, has become a significant cost, with an estimated annual impact exceeding £2 billion according to the most recent report from the Confederation of British Industry British Retail Consortium. In response, PRA members are adopting advanced technologies like body cams, facial recognition cameras and headsets to deter and manage crime more effectively. The PRA is also actively participating in a review of the Retail Crime Strategic Plan to provide minimum standards and improvements across the  Reporting of Crime, Reporting of Intelligence and Dealing with Vulnerable persons. When managing matters of crime or incidents concerning fuel theft, following discussions with former Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Mark Harper and subsequent advice from the Home Office, companies that provide a service to recover monies associated with drive offs and no means to pay will soon have online access to the DVLA database, provided they meet certain criteria outlined by the Police. This improvement should streamline the process of recovering losses from fuel theft, with implementation expected in Q1.

The 2030 ICE Ban and Charging Infrastructure

While the PRA supports the move towards decarbonization of transport, there’s a strong call for a strategic, cooperative approach between the government and industry. The current inheritance tax changes could limit the available funds for family businesses to invest in essential EV charging infrastructure, which, although viable with a payback period of 8-10 years, requires significant upfront investment.

Advocacy for Car Wash Licensing

The PRAs’ sister not-for-profit trade association, the Car Wash Association ( CWA) is pushing for a national licensing scheme for car washes to ensure quality and fairness in the industry. Collaborations with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are underway, with NTU preparing to submit proposals for a national licensing scheme. Additionally, the CWA will be participating in webinars with LabourList to discuss these proposals, emphasizing the need for regulation to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses.

Conclusion

The forecourt industry stands at a crossroads, facing a complex array of challenges that require thoughtful policy responses, community engagement and innovative business practices. The survival and growth of family-run forecourt businesses hinges on how well they can adapt to these changes while advocating for a supportive legislative environment. The concerted efforts in lobbying, investment in technology and strategic business planning are pivotal in ensuring that these businesses not only survive but thrive in the evolving economic landscape.

The post Navigating Challenges in the Forecourt Industry: Rising Costs, Policy Changes, and Crime appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

The economic landscape in 2024 has presented considerable challenges. Increased costs have affected businesses across the retail sector, and we are no exception. Yet, despite these pressures, Maxol has managed to turn things around. A key factor in this success has been our ongoing investment in the future – particularly in new site acquisitions and several large capital projects.

Strategic Acquisitions and Redevelopments

One of the major milestones in 2024 was our acquisition of Candy’s forecourt and convenience store in Carnew, Wicklow in April, followed by the purchase of seven sites under the Circle K brand from Naas Oil in August. These acquisitions are not only adding to our network but are crucial in ensuring that we can deliver the high standards our customers expect. Each of these sites has been upgraded to the latest Maxol offering, making them an important addition to our portfolio.

We’ve also made significant strides with site redevelopments.  12 store refits were completed including Garryowen Limerick, Carrigaline Cork, additional car parking at Maxol Ballycoolin in Northwest Dublin and in September, we completed a full redevelopment of Maxol Belvoir, located just outside Belfast. This was followed by the full redevelopment of Maxol Fortwilliam in Belfast by December and Maxol Hilden in Lisburn in early January. These projects underline our commitment to providing the highest quality facilities for our customers and ensuring that our forecourts are fit for the future.

Maxol ROSA Coffee Concept Rollout

This year, we’re excited about the ongoing rollout of Maxol’s ROSA Coffee concept. As part of this initiative, we have introduced new coffee machines at 81 of our company-owned stores, following the launch of oat and iced coffee variants. ROSA Coffee cup sales, along with Barista Bar coffee in Northern Ireland, reached 4.3 million for 2024, marking an increase of 3.3% compared to 2023. Our commitment to delivering high-quality coffee has been well-received, and we’re eager to continue building on this success as we expand the concept further.

Car Wash Business Performance

Maxol’s car wash business continues to perform exceptionally well. Approximately 665,000 vehicles passed through a Maxol car wash in 2024, which is a significant increase on previous years, and highlights the ongoing demand for our services. This is part of our broader strategy to expand our service offerings and meet the growing needs of our customers.

Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives

Sustainability continues to be a cornerstone of our strategy. Our work with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Guide Dogs NI saw the launch of a major all-Ireland campaign to raise over €150,000 through the sale of PAWsome vehicle air fresheners, which will fund three trainee guide dogs this year. This initiative is a perfect example of how Maxol is combining commercial success with social responsibility, giving back to the community while driving brand engagement.

Additionally, Maxol Lubricants, a division of The Maxol Group, completed a packaging refresh for its line of products, with all packaging now containing at least 30% and up to 50% recycled plastic. This is in line with the company’s wider efforts to reduce its environmental footprint across the business.

Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there. We continue to focus on reducing our carbon footprint through initiatives such as the rollout of Maxol hvoPRO, a renewable diesel product. HVO, a second-generation biofuel produced from renewable feedstocks that reduces carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to regular diesel, was introduced to eight forecourts in 2024, with additional sites being added in the coming months. In 2024, we transitioned 50% of our fleet to Maxol hvoPRO, achieving a reduction of approximately 45% in our annual carbon emissions. I believe that the opportunities for HVO in motoring, agriculture, and aviation are enormous, and that respective governments needs to reduce the duty on more sustainable fuels to help encourage and grow adoption.

Maxol’s commitment to sustainability and innovation was further demonstrated with the launch of our first-ever Ultra Rapid EV Hub in Newbridge, Co. Kildare in 2024, under the Maxol Recharge sub-brand. Maxol Newbridge now features six ultra-rapid 200kw chargers, providing a 15-minute charge time to better serve the needs of Ireland’s electric vehicle drivers. At Maxol we remain committed to EV mobility and in 2025 we have plans to introduce further EV hubs.

To date we have invested €225m in future-proofing the business which ensures that our sites remain relevant and capable of supporting this transition to greener options.

Sustainable Strategy Recognition

Maxol’s commitment to sustainability was recognised on the national stage when we won the Best Sustainable Strategy award for the Braid River Service Station in Ballymena at the National Forecourt Awards. Green initiatives at the site include an Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Hub, CO2-cooled glass door refrigeration, LED lighting, solar panels, heat pump technology, solar-efficient glazing, and a water reuse system. This approach is being introduced across all our redevelopments, with the objective of reducing energy costs and the carbon footprint of each site by 40%.

Homegrown at Maxol Programme

In 2024, our Homegrown at Maxol programme entered its second year, giving local producers an opportunity to have their products distributed across the Maxol network of stores in the Republic of Ireland. This initiative allows us to support and showcase high-quality products from local Irish producers such as the 2024 winners: The Foods of Athenry, All Real Nutrition, fiid, Parachute, and Blanco Nino. The programme has proven to be an important vehicle for promoting local businesses while providing our customers with even more high-quality grocery products in our stores.

Looking Ahead: A Strong 2025

As we look ahead for the next 12 months, the outlook for Maxol is promising. We’ve made great progress in terms of site acquisitions, redevelopments, marketing, sustainability, and technology, and these investments are already paying off. The foundations we have built will serve us well as we continue to grow and evolve.

On a broader note, 2025 will present both challenges and opportunities, not only for Maxol but for the wider business community. At this pivotal time, I’m proud to have recently been appointed Chair of the CBI Northern Ireland, stepping into this role as the region’s economy navigates significant changes, including energy transitions and the rising costs of doing business.

As Chair of CBI Northern Ireland, I’m committed to championing the interests of local businesses, working with our partners to ensure that we have access to the skilled workforce necessary for growth, and helping create the conditions for a competitive, low-carbon economy. The work we do at Maxol will be intrinsically linked to the work I will be doing at CBI, and together we can help shape the economic future for Northern Ireland and wider all Ireland economy.

While there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead – especially as we continue to navigate an unpredictable economic landscape and the ongoing shift to electric vehicles and net zero – we are confident that our strategy will position us for long-term success. The retail fuel market is changing, but with our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality, along with partnering with the best retailers, I believe Maxol is well-placed to increase its share of the retail convenience market in the years to come.

The post Navigating Challenges and Embracing Growth: Maxol’s Road Ahead By Brian Donaldson appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Sustainable Growth, Careers and Communities

Retail Ireland’s Director Arnold Dillon talks to IF&CR on the role of retail in stimulating economic growth, supporting employment and sustaining vibrant communities across the country.

“Businesses are trying to make sure they have sustainable business models, in the midst of a constant state of disruption. At the sharp end, we are engaged in policies around competitiveness” said Arnold. “Sometimes the focus is on all the negatives, but there is a lot to be positive about in retailing – in particular developing careers paths, skills and nurturing talent” said Arnold.

There’s no doubt that the cost-base of doing business has consumed Retail Ireland’s efforts and energy in recent times.

“There was a series of significant cost increases which has been challenging – labour market costs, pension auto-enrolment, changes to sick pay and other additional costs were being pushed forward on a political timeframe rather than doing what’s sustainable for businesses.

“That simply wasn’t sustainable, and we saw some recognition of that last year with a pause on some of these. There was a degree of recognition that businesses simply didn’t have the cost-base to cover all of these increases. While some of the changes were based on good intentions  – such as pension reform, the time frame was simply too difficult, providing significant challenges for businesses in terms of managing costs.

New Programme for Government

“However the new Programme for Government seems to recognise this to some extent, and there are some positives in terms of labour costs and the ‘big picture’ issues such as the retail crime. This has always been an issue, but it has certainly become more acute since Covid.

“It’s a real concern and something that needs managed. We are looking at ways to address this with both Government and the Gardai – but there’s a lot of work to do. It ranges from low level abuse to some retail workers being subjected to serious attacks.

“Staff welfare is crucial. New technologies can play a role. Our interaction with businesses and Gardai is ongoing, along with progressing what action the justice system can do.

“There are proposals in the Programme for Government – such as a new Retail Crime Strategy to include Exclusion Orders. This would mean perpetrators are excluded from retail premises. Repeat offenders have been a frustration for retailers in the past, and a change in the law would mean if a perpetrator is barred, then they would be immediately arrested if in breach of a Court Order. A Bill regarding Retail Defamation could also be forthcoming – so these are just some very positive developments.

“Another priority for the Government is to look at Gardai resources, along with some big policy developments around alcohol, labelling and so on.

Skills and Career Pathways

A major focus for Retail Ireland members is skills.

“An incredible amount of work has been done to improve career pathways in retailing, with some exciting developments to develop skills sets – to make a career in retailing appealing and attractive by providing professional development and leadership opportunities.

“Our team is working on the apprenticeship model in government. New technologies feature high in retailing – we can either resit or embrace these – but it’s definitely a feature in modern retail businesses – as is adapting to new competitors and market entries” explained Arnold.

“Established retail businesses can leverage these opportunities and reach new customers to provide a better customer experience. Retailing is becoming more sophisticated. There’s a shift from the traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses as originally conceived, toward retailers using different channels – for example changing the range of what’s available in-store, looking at the logistics involved, whereby for some sectors such as fashion, the ‘bricks and mortar’ store becomes more like a show case.

Changes

“Fundamentally, there is a lot of change – with more people working from home, city and town centres are changing – which in itself provides both challenges and opportunities.

Undoubtedly the forecourt sector is one of the strongest in Ireland.

“Yes, we are part of the Euro Retail Federation, and Irish forecourts are viewed as doing all the right things, and at the cutting edge. We have high calibre industry leaders like Brian Donaldson from Maxol, Ciara Foxton from Circle K and BWG’s John Moane on our Board.

Part of Ibec

Part of Ibec, Retail Ireland is the largest and most influential business organisation representing Ireland’s retail sector.

Retail Ireland is led by Arnold Dillon. The organisation represents and supports a broad and diverse mix of members from the Irish retail sector. The team keeps members informed on policy through in-house briefings, provides industry updates, research and regularly runs member networking forums and industry led training for the sector.

Arnold has been Director of Retail Ireland since 2020. He is also a Board Member of EuroCommerce, member of the DBEI Retail Consultation Forum and Enterprise Forum on Brexit and Global Challenges.

With extensive professional experience in strategic campaigns, public affairs and PR, including with the Confederation of British Industry, London and Ibec, Brussels, Albert completed his undergraduate and post-graduate education at UCD.

Major Events

“In recent years, a series of major events has shaped the retail and wider economic environment. Brexit, a global pandemic, and rapidly increasing costs, sparked by war in Ukraine, have forced businesses to adapt quickly” he told IF&CR.

“Against this evolving backdrop, Retail Ireland has worked to directly support its members and ensure the government’s response safeguards the key interests of the sector. Success, however, is not just about reacting well to rapidly changing events, we must also be proactive.

“Retail Ireland represents a broad mix of the Irish retail sector, from global multinationals to indigenous chains and independent operators.

“Our membership includes major grocery retailers, department stores, pharmacies, DIY home and electrical outlets, fashion and luxury goods, shopping centres, convenience stores, forecourt, specialist outlets and independent operators.

Expert Knowledge

“Through our expert knowledge, extensive connections and unrivalled influence, Retail Ireland aims to enhance the profile of our industry and promoting a more positive business environment for Irish retail.

“Through our Retail Ireland Skillnet and Apprenticeship teams, we are proud to deliver Ireland’s leading retail education and training programmes.”

Dedicated Unit within Ibec

Retail Ireland operates as a dedicated unit within Ibec, Ireland’s foremost business, enterprise and employers’ group. Ibec and its sector associations work with government and policy makers, both nationally and internationally, to shape business conditions and drive economic growth. Ibec also directly provides a wide range of professional services to members.

Retail Ireland is the Irish member of EuroCommerce, the principal European organisation representing the retail and wholesale sector at EU level.

*

It’s All About …Strategy

The current strategy (2023-2026) is based around three core pillars:

Sustainable Growth

As a large employer embedded in every community across Ireland, economic growth for the retail industry positively impacts society as a whole and delivers quality, value and choice to the consumer. In this challenging operating environment, identifying opportunities to improve competitiveness and innovation, while also supporting long-term growth, is crucial. As part of this focus, Retail Ireland and its members will aim to advance initiatives and policies to promote retail investment and digitalisation, drive sustainable growth, and deliver an innovative, resilient and competitive retail environment.

In order to advance the sector’s growth and competitiveness, Retail Ireland aims to champion and drive campaigns and initiatives that showcase the critical role and contribution of retail in the wider economy, and highlight the role of a thriving, competitive retail sector in addressing cost-of-living concerns.

Sustainable Careers

The impact of the pandemic has changed the priorities and patterns of both customers and the workforce in Ireland. The now established hybrid-model has implications for how, where and when customers engage with retail. At the same time retailers are recognising and responding to the expectations of staff to provide more flexible work patterns. Moreover, as technology increasingly impacts customer behaviour, this fundamental transition in the industry is changing the nature of the skills required and roles available in retail, across a range of areas.

In the research conducted by Retail Ireland, people, skills and careers for the future were highlighted as a key priority by members, particularly given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the recruitment and retention of staff. Retail businesses are keen to promote progressive policies that support employees and ensure skills and training reflect business needs as well as careers for the future.

Sustainable Communities

Environmental sustainability will be a key focus of the sector over the coming years and Retail Ireland will support its members as the industry continues to transform how it operates. From improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of recycled materials, reducing the use of plastic to championing the wider circular economy, tackling environmental issues is now a both a social and commercial priority.

The post It’s All About Business Sustainability – Arnold Dillon, Retail Ireland appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.