Fitzgerald Power has extensive experience advising retailers across all categories of the sector, making it a natural partner for REI’s diverse membership.

Fitzgerald Power’s expertise spans accounting, tax planning, corporate finance, and business advisory services, with a focus on M&A and succession planning. These are areas of growing importance for Irish retailers navigating ownership transitions and strategic growth. This partnership will provide REI members with access to specialist financial insight, tailored advisory services, and sector-specific expertise to support growth, profitability, and long-term planning.

Jean McCabe, CEO of REI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Fitzgerald Power as an accounting and advisory partner of Retail Excellence Ireland. Its experience advising retailers, combined with its expertise in matters that affect our members every day, makes the firm an invaluable addition to our network which will offer tangible benefits to our 2,000-strong membership base. We look forward to the practical support and insight they will bring to our members around the country.”

Jennifer Power, Partner, SME Advisory, Fitzgerald Power said: “We work closely with retailers at every stage of their journey, from scaling operations to preparing for exit. This partnership with REI allows us to share those insights more broadly and provide members with hands-on support across areas like financial management, tax planning, and strategic growth. We’re excited to collaborate with REI and contribute to the continued success of its members.”

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As Covid restrictions eased on Tuesday 1st December, moving from Level 5 to Level 3, many small independent retailers were perplexed and disappointed that they were shutdown completely during ‘the golden quarter’ in the run up to Christmas, while large competitors continued selling non-essential items with no apparent restrictions.

Retail Excellence’s CEO Duncan Graham highlighted the inconsistencies. The organisation had called on the Irish government to ensure that those retailers who were permitted to stay open, should restrict their sales to essential items only – to enable a level, fair playing field for small independent retailers forced to close.

He said that the initial restrictions were unfair – “with large retailers abusing the fact that they are allowed to remain open by selling non-essential items.

“This rubs salt into the wounds of smaller retailers who are forced to close but who now see larger competitors take advantage of their closure.”

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