Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has warned the Government that further increases in tobacco excise in Budget 2027 will accelerate the growth of Ireland’s illicit tobacco market, further undermine legitimate retailers, and contribute to significant ongoing losses to the taxpayer.

Launching its Pre-Budget Submission 2027 today, RAS said Ireland’s tobacco tax policy is increasingly driving consumers towards cheaper illicit and non-Irish duty paid products which are now widely available across the country.

The retailer group said the continued growth in illicit tobacco sales is having a major impact on local convenience stores, newsagents and forecourts, many of which rely heavily on tobacco sales to remain commercially viable amid rising labour, energy and compliance costs.

RAS pointed to the latest Health in Ireland data from the Department of Health, which shows smoking prevalence increased from 2023 to 2024 despite repeated excise increases in recent years. The organisation said this demonstrates that further tax increases will no longer push people towards quitting, but instead displacing consumers towards untaxed and illegal products.

The publication last month of Revenue’s Products Survey found that 38% of cigarettes in circulation had no Irish excise duty paid, either because they were illegal or purchased outside Ireland. In the Roll-Your-Own tobacco market, the figure rises to 45%.

RAS estimates Ireland’s untaxed tobacco market is now worth between €790 million and €845 million annually.

National Spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said:

“The Government is allowing hundreds of millions of euro to disappear into the black market every year because tobacco taxes here have gone completely over the top.

You now have people buying packs of 20 cigarettes for a fraction of the price through illegal sellers, social media and products being brought in from Spain and the Canaries. Meanwhile, the local shop owner, like myself, trying to do things properly, is being hammered.

The worrying thing is smoking rates have actually gone up despite all these tax increases. So, the policy clearly isn’t working. Criminal gangs are making money, the taxpayer is losing out, and legitimate retailers are the ones taking the hit.”

Dublin-based retailer Phillip Craddock said
“For small retailers, tobacco sales are still a huge part of keeping the doors open. A lot of local shops, newsagents and forecourts depend on that trade to survive.

When customers start buying cheaper illegal cigarettes, retailers don’t just lose the sale on a pack of 20 – they lose all the extra business that comes with it too.

The black market is growing in plain sight and retailers across the country are paying the price. The Government needs to stop pushing prices higher and start focusing properly on enforcement.”

In its Pre-Budget Submission 2027, Retailers Against Smuggling has called on the Government to:
Freeze excise tax on all tobacco and vaping products in Budget 2027

• Provide additional x-ray scanners and frontier staff at Irish ports to increase freight screening rates and target organised smuggling networks

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BWG Foods UC: NACS Convenience Cares Award

At the 2026 NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Warsaw, Poland, the global convenience retail industry celebrated winners of the prestigious NACS Convenience Retails Awards Europe – and Maxol Long Mile Road came out on top.

Located on a major commuter route in southwest Dublin, Maxol Long Mile Road has been transformed into a modern, sustainable retail destination thanks to a €4.5 million investment. The flagship site features an expanded Maxol Deli, Zambrero, Burger King with drive-thru, digital ordering, ROSA Coffee, seating for 48 people, an ATM and upgraded restrooms.

The redevelopment of the Long Mile Road store showcases Maxol’s digital innovation strategy. Every touchpoint has been enhanced, from refueling on the forecourt to foodservice with digital ordering kiosks, dynamic menu screens, back-office platforms and in-store loyalty to deliver a seamless, frictionless customer experience.

BWG Foods takes NACS Convenience Cares Award

As part of its store development strategy, BWG Foods introduced Climate Flow, a system that reduces reliance on traditional air conditioning by reusing hot and cool air already generated in-store. Instead of creating new hot and cold air that work against each other, it captures existing airflow and redistributes it to maintain optimal temperatures efficiently. First installed at the Eurospar Meakstown store, Climate Flow has delivered strong energy savings and demonstrates BWG’s commitment to practical and scalable sustainability solutions.

BWG Foods UC is one of Ireland’s leading food retail and wholesale companies. BWG Foods works in partnership with more than 1,000 independent retailers, serving more than 1 million shoppers every single day.

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EUROSPAR Cobh has announced the installation and official launch of a new Envipco Quantum Bulk Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), reinforcing the store’s commitment to sustainability, customer convenience and supporting the local community. The launch event was attended by representatives from Re turn, Envipco, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce and AIB, highlighting the strong cross sector local business support for sustainability initiatives and Ireland’s transition to a more circular economy.

The Envipco Quantum Bulk system represents the next generation of high capacity container return technology in support of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The Bulk RVM can process up to 120 containers per minute through a continuous bulk feed system. Designed for busy retail environments, the machine enables customers to return large volumes of drinks containers quickly and hygienically, making participation in the DRS easier than ever. The technology has already been proven in concept through the installation of Ireland’s first Envipco Quantum Bulk RVM at EUROSPAR Hartstown in September 2025, which has since delivered substantial impact with the high levels of container returns and the positive response from customers.

The sustainability credentials of the store in Cobh also include energy efficient lighting throughout the store, solar panels, and a comprehensive energy and waste management system.

EUROSPAR Cobh store owner Shane Jones said, “We are delighted to introduce the Quantum Bulk RVM to our store and community. This investment reflects our ongoing efforts to reducing waste, supporting responsible recycling habits and improving the customer experience. The speed and ease of use make this form of recycling more accessible for everyone and we’re very happy with the response so far from local groups, schools, sports clubs and businesses in the area.”

Peter Dwan, EUROSPAR Sales Director, added: “This installation and latest initiative from Shane and his team is another example of the excellent standards in convenience and customer service that will benefit Cobh and the surrounding communities. It also showcases the strong leadership in sustainability from EUROSPAR through our Responsible Retailing Programme, with ongoing efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce energy consumption and deliver more innovative environmental solutions.”

Supporting Ireland’s Circular Economy Goals

The Quantum Bulk RVM offers several key benefits to customers and the broader community. Its bulk return capability delivers a quick and frictionless recycling experience, while high capacity storage minimises downtime and enhances convenience. Reduced manual handling also contributes to a cleaner, more streamlined process for shoppers. Collectively, these benefits support the objectives of Re turn and the DRS by encouraging higher return rates and improved local circularity. As Ireland continues to expand its national DRS infrastructure, retail locations like EUROSPAR Cobh play a vital role by providing easy, reliable take back points for recyclable containers. The addition of the Envipco Quantum Bulk RVM further enhances recycling accessibility in the local community and encourages greater participation in sustainable consumer behaviour.

Representatives from EUROSPAR Cobh, Re-turn, the Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce and AIB, along with children from Bunscoil Rinn an Chabhlaigh, pictured at the official launch of the new Envipco Quantum Bulk Reverse Vending Machine at EUROSPAR Cobh.

Shane Jones EUROSPAR Cobh store owner, speaking at the official launch of the new Envipco Quantum Bulk Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at EUROSPAR Cobh.

Shane Jones, owner of EUROSPAR Cobh, pictured with  Colin Morehead (President of Cobh & Harbour Chamber) Shane Jones & Kevin O’Sullivan (Re-turn Representative) at the launch of the new Quantum Bulk Reverse Vending Machine at EUROSPAR Cobh.

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As the biggest sporting event in Ireland this year rolls into town, Special Olympics Ireland platinum partner, Gala Retail, has donated 45,000 bottles of water to ensure athletes, volunteers and the wider Special Olympics family are well hydrated across four days of sporting action.

The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games took place from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st June, kicking off with the Opening Ceremony at Tallaght Stadium.

Over 1,200 Special Olympics athletes from across the island of Ireland will compete, proudly representing their regional teams across 12 sports. The athletes will be supported by hundreds of coaches and official delegates, and thousands of volunteers helping to run the Games.

Gala Retail is a platinum sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland, and this year marks the company’s 12^th year of sponsorship. In that time, over €1 million has been raised for Special Olympics Ireland by Gala Retail, its stores and its customers. The water donation continues a tradition that began at the 2018 Ireland Summer Games, when Gala first stepped in to keep athletes, volunteers, and all involved hydrated.

Tony Cluskey, Marketing & Ambient Trading Manager with Gala Retail, said: “We’re delighted to be back supporting the biggest sporting event in the Special Olympics calendar in Ireland. Our association with Special Olympics Ireland stretches back to 2015, and it’s a journey we’re immensely proud of. Gala Retail and our stores nationwide are immensely proud to play our part by keeping the athletes, volunteers and the entire Special Olympics family hydrated across four days of competition.

“Special Olympics is at the heart of communities across Ireland, just like Gala, and we can’t wait to cheer on the athletes as they create more #GalaSpecialMoments this week.”

Karen Coventry, CEO of Special Olympics Ireland, said: “Gala Retail has been an invaluable partner to Special Olympics Ireland for over a decade, and we’re incredibly thankful to have Gala’s commitment to Special Olympics Ireland supplemented this year by this generous donation of water.

“As we look to the Opening Day of the Games, our athletes are ready to take up the honour of representing their region on the national stage, and it’s thanks to our partners, including Gala Retail, and the thousands of volunteers and supporters, that we can make these Games an unforgettable experience.”

The 12 sports on this week’s programme of sporting action are athletics, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, kayaking, swimming and table tennis. The Games will also feature the Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP), Young Athletes and Healthy Athletes events.

The Games are a free, family-friendly event, and Special Olympics Ireland is calling on the public to play their part and support the athletes as they take on the honour of representing their region.

www.irelandgames.ie

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• Bank of Ireland Finance new lending grew by 46% in 2025, with the trend continuing in 2026
• Spend on electric vehicle (EV) charging between May 2005 and May 2026 close to doubles
• One in three consumers cite recent fuel price increases as a key driver for switching to EVs

Bank of Ireland has launched a new EV Marketplace, the first of its kind in Ireland.  Developed in partnership with Nevo – Ireland’s only dedicated EV platform, designed to help drivers research, compare, and transition to electric motoring – the new digital marketplace aims to make it radically simpler and quicker for consumers to switch to electric vehicles.

The launch comes as the consumer drive towards EVs accelerates.  Bank of Ireland’s EV lending grew by 46% in 2025, with the pattern of growth continuing in 2026.  The Bank’s 16 motor brand partnerships accounted for 43% of all new EV sales YTD May 2026.

Accessible via the Bank of Ireland website, the new EV Marketplace offers a seamless, end-to-end journey for customers considering switching to electric. The new platform brings together:

• Trusted EV education to demystify ownership
• Vehicle discovery tools to compare models and options
• Integrated Bank of Ireland finance solutions to support affordability

• The ability to arrange a test drive with your local car dealership on the marketplace

Bank of Ireland’s latest credit and debit card spending data for May reveals a significant increase in spend on EV charging and usage of charging stations year on year. Spend on EV charging for May 2026 showed an increase of 84.53% when compared to the same period last year, signalling strong growth in electric driving.

Susan Russell, CEO, Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland: “Our electric vehicle lending figures and the consumer spend on EV charging all point in one direction – the drive towards electric vehicles is accelerating. Our unique Electric Vehicle Marketplace is about maintaining that momentum, giving customers the tools, knowledge and financial support to make the switch with confidence.

“This launch will also help us play an even stronger role in Building a more sustainable future. As part of our strategy, we have set a target to reach €30 billion in sustainable lending by 2030.  Getting there will require innovative solutions and unrivalled financial choice, that meets our customers’ needs now and for generations to come. 

“This market first, one-stop shop for customers to explore, compare and finance electric vehicles strengthens our leadership in sustainable finance, deepens customer relationships, and positions us at the centre of Ireland’s electric vehicle ecosystem”.

Breaking down barriers to adoption

Nevo’s Q2 National Electric Vehicle survey just launched, highlighting that:

• One in three consumers cite recent fuel price increases as a key driver for switching
• The upfront cost of Electric Vehicles remains the biggest barrier

The Electric Vehicle Marketplace has been designed specifically to tackle these challenges, combining education, transparency and flexible financing to make switching more accessible.

Simon Anadreucetti, Managing Director, Nevo

“Two in five Irish consumers plan to buy an electric vehicle within the next two years, and battery electric vehicle registrations are already up over 50% in 2026 alone. The appetite is clearly there. The barrier has always been confidence; confidence in understanding the costs, the finance options, and which vehicle is right for the customer. That’s exactly what the Bank of Ireland and Nevo partnership solves.

The Bank of Ireland Electric Vehicle Marketplace, powered by Nevo, together with the new finance application flow now available on both Nevo.ie and the Bank of Ireland Electric Vehicle Marketplace, are firsts for the Irish market. Together, they give consumers the tools to browse new vehicles from every brand, view real monthly pricing across PCP and HP products, and complete their finance application seamlessly, all in one place. Nevo is proud to partner with Bank of Ireland to launch these first-to-market digital solutions, making going electric more accessible and more straightforward than ever before. This is another step in our commitment to sustainable mobility for both of our customers”.

To find out more, visit Bank of Ireland Electric Vehicle Marketplace .

Spending data provided by Bank of Ireland Group Data

*Nevo’s Q2 national Electric Vehicle survey, nationally representative survey ROI 18+

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