Independent grocers are the vital glue for vibrant communities: RGDATA tells new Minister for Retail

RGDATA has sought an early meeting with Alan Dillon TD, the new Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise with responsibility for Retail, to update him on the vital importance of a strong independent grocery sector

In a letter to the new Minister, RGDATA wrote that it ‘looks forward to working with you in your new role. We hope that the Retail Forum will be re-established within your Department as it has proved to be a very effective forum for engagement between the Government and the retail sector.

‘RGDATA also notes the strong policy platform in the Programme for Government on issues concerning the retail sector and SMEs more generally. We look forward to hearing the Government’s proposals to implement the different measures proposed.

Cost of Business Forum

‘We particularly welcome the proposal to establish a cost of business forum and as a first task we would suggest that the Department should examine the recent exorbitant increase in thelicence fee charged to retailers who sell tobacco and vape Minister Donnelly. An increase of a licence fee from €50 to over €1,000 for tobacco products and €800 for nicotine inhaling products is excessive. Regardless of any public health issues concerning tobacco, it is completely contrary to best practice (and the commitments on containing SME costs in the Programme for Government) for a hike of this nature to be imposed on SMEs in such an offhand and arbitrary manner. We had hoped that following the challenges faced by businesses as a consequence of State imposed increases over the last few years, it would be recognised by Government that additional costs imposed on businesses need to be measured, justified and cannot just be absorbed by businesses.

‘We would welcome an opportunity to meet with you in the coming weeks and look forward to
working with you over the term of the Government.’