RGDATA said “As the representative body for independent, family owned grocery and convenience stores across Ireland, RGDATA speaks for businesses that operate at the heart of towns, villages, and urban neighbourhoods. Our members are integral to
community life—providing essential services, local employment, social connection, and informal oversight of the areas in which they trade.

“The consultation paper correctly recognises that community safety cannot be delivered by An Garda Síochána alone and requires a strategic partnership approach across agencies, sectors, and communities. It also highlights that safety extends beyond the absence of crime to include people’s confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life.

RGDATA strongly supports this holistic approach and offers the following observations:

Issue 1 – Defining Community Safety
Community safety, from RGDATA’s perspective, encompasses both practical security measures and the broader sense of comfort and trust felt by community members. Independent retailers observe daily the two dimensions highlighted in the issue paper: the objective measures (e.g. crime levels, response times) and the subjective measures (e.g. how safe people feel at night, in public spaces, or at work). These are not always aligned.
RGDATA defines community safety as: “A community environment where people can live, work, shop, and socialise without fear, supported by strong local relationships, visible safety measures, and effective responses to crime
and antisocial behaviour.”

Local shops play a unique role in strengthening this definition of safety:
• They provide natural surveillance through constant footfall and visibility.
• They serve as informal hubs, where shopkeepers often notice emerging issues or vulnerable
individuals.
• They remain open during adverse events, offering reliability and stability.
• They act as neutral, accessible landmarks in rural and urban areas and create a pattern of footfall within communities which help to keep towns and villages vibrant and full of life, as opposed to deserted and derelict.

Issue 2 – Community-Grounded Knowledge
The issue paper’s recognition of the role of “individuals, families and community groups” is
essential. RGDATA emphasises that independent shops are integral community actors with deep local knowledge.
Examples of effective community safety initiatives involving RGDATA and its members include:
• Retailer–Garda engagement through local meetings, information-sharing, and joint responses to offending patterns.
• Community alert systems, where retailers contribute to text alert networks and encourage
reporting of suspicious activity.
• Partnerships with local schools and youth groups, reducing isolation and supporting positive engagement.
• Participation in community CCTV initiatives, including hosting equipment or co-funding
installations.

Issue 3 – Collaboration
RGDATA supports the consultation paper’s emphasis on coordinated, multi-agency collaboration.
Effective collaboration relies on:
• Dedicated Garda liaison officers for local business communities.
• Consistent community policing presence, which builds trust and encourages reporting.
• Formal structures such as community safety partnerships that include retailers on an equal
footing.
• Clear, practical protocols for information sharing.

Issue 4 – Measurement
RGDATA agrees that both felt safety and actual safety are important indicators and that they often diverge.
Key indicators for the retail sector include:
• Incidents of theft, assault, intimidation, harassment, and drug-related activity.
• Response times and follow-up on reported incidents.
• Staff perceptions of safety, especially among young workers and those opening stores early in the morning and closing stores at night.
• Quality of the local environment (lighting, cleanliness, CCTV coverage).

Issue 5 – Policy and Governance
RGDATA welcomes Government initiatives that support safer communities, including the
emerging Retail Crime Strategy. However, several policy gaps undermine safety for retailers, their staff and communities:
• Retail crime is rising and repeat offending is particularly acute.
• Youth anti-social behaviour is becoming increasingly threatening and aggressive and young
offenders believe they are invincible.
• Current supports for victims of commercial crime are limited.
• Local governance structures vary widely, and retailers are not consistently included.

Independent retailers are deeply embedded in communities and uniquely positioned to identify both emerging risks and opportunities for safety improvement. RGDATA strongly supports a National Strategy grounded in local experience, built on strong partnerships, and is responsive to both objective and subjective safety concerns.
RGDATA is happy to assist the National Office for Community Safety in the development and implementation of this first national strategy

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• Policyholders should not have to wait a day longer to see meaningful and sustained reductions in their premiums.
• In the context of liability claims, we have seen substantial reductions in the volume of claims and size of awards and yet, in the context of record-level insurer profits, it is wholly unacceptable that insurance premiums have not come down.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform welcomes the publication of the Government’s new Action Plan on Insurance Reform. Whilst more time is needed to study its proposals in detail, we want to positively acknowledge this and the previous government’s sustained commitment to delivering a fairer and more affordable insurance market for motorists, businesses, sports, community and voluntary organisations.

The last administration delivered an exceptional programme of reform, the benefits of which can be seen in recent reports from the Central Bank and the Injuries Resolution Board. For liability claims, we have seen substantial reductions in the volume of claims and size of awards and yet, in the context of record-level insurer profits, it is wholly unacceptable that insurance premiums have not come down.

Policyholders should not have to wait a day longer to see meaningful and sustained reductions in their premiums and any attempt to use today’s action plan as reason not to pass on existing savings, must be pushed back strongly against by government.

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RGDATA conduced a Business Costs Survey of members to determine their outlook, priorities and sentiment in present trading conditions. A summary Report on the Survey, which was conducted between April and May 2025, found that retailers are facing an extremely challenging trading environment with across the board increases in operating costs at a time when consumers are increasingly price sensitive and tending to shop around due to an enhanced competitive dynamic. The key findings of the Survey are;

• Wages, energy, and food supplier costs are the top three pressures.
• Consumer behaviour is shifting toward more frugal and selective purchasing.
• Businesses are struggling to maintain margins, with some questioning long-term

RGDATA has several specific budgetary requests for Budget

2026, including Support to manage Employment costs – the single biggest pressure that convenience retailers are facing is around the increased levels of employment costs, directly related to State sanctioned increases in the National Minimum Wage, Statutory Sick Pay and additional leave including an additional Public Holiday. These increases have directly added to the bottom line of retailers, either due to increases in the actual minimum wage or due to proportionate increases that have worked through to wage levels. Independent food/convenience shops and supermarkets are labour intensive and there is a minimum number of staff that is required to operate a convenience shop effectively.

‘To provide meaningful and direct assistance to employers struggling with high employment costs, RGDATA requested that Budget 2026 should see a reduction in the relevant rates of Employers PRSI from 8.9% to 6% and from 11.15% to 9% respectively and the introduction of a new rate of 6% for employees registered as students in educational establishments in the State.

RGDATA also called for the Government to address State imposed fixed energy levy’s – as modern retail grocery outlets are energy intensive through heat, light, refrigeration, ovens and display cabinets.

‘Budget 2026 should herald the start of a new more progressive way of funding both renewables and grid investment by identifying new more direct funding mechanisms recognising that the provision of infrastructure and the growth of renewable energy are both societal costs whose funding should not be disproportionately paid by SME business customers.’

In its submission, RGDATA stated that it supports restoring the VAT rate for catering services to 9% which would make a significant difference to convenience retailers with instore and food to go offerings (deli sales, in-store cafes and sales of hot beverages).

RGDATA believes that Budget 2026 should see a formal statement from the Government confirming that it is Government Policy for the following 12 months to support employment and competitiveness in the domestic economy, by deferring any additional State based measures which could increase business costs over that period.

Government should explore if there are any measures that could be introduced in Budget 2026 which could assist with the reduction of Insurance costs, particularly on Employers Liability and Public Liability cover.

*

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A representative sample of RGDATA members participated in the 2025 survey assessing the prevalence and impact of crime in the independent convenience/grocery retail sector. The respondents are from rural and urban areas and include convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets.

The data reveals growing concern and direct experience with crime, particularly theft, with strong consensus on the need for consistent enforcement of laws.

Retailers are also concerned about the significant costs they incur dealing with retail crime at a time when increased business costs are threatening the viability of their businesses.

The sample base is 420 retailers.

Key Findings

1. Prevalence of Crime

· 95% of respondents reported being victims of crime in the past 12 months.

· Shoplifting was by far the most common offence, cited by 410 respondents.

· Staff theft was reported by 180 businesses.

· 20 respondents noted that weapons had been used during crimes.

2. Law Enforcement & Responses

· 400 retailers contacted the Gardaí in response to criminal activity.

· However, only a small minority expressed satisfaction with Garda response or follow-up—many noted slow response times and a lack of follow-through.

3. Perceived Trends

· Every respondent agreed that retail crime has increased in the past year.

· 410 out of 420 retailers agreed with the statement that they feel afraid to challenge criminals, citing fear of assault or legal repercussions.

4. Attitudes Toward Crime Policy

· All respondents (100%) supported the idea that real enforcement and meaningful sanctions—not just new laws—are the key to tackling retail crime.

· There is strong support for:

o Creating a new offence for violence against retail workers.

o Mandatory barring orders for convicted offenders.

o Improved data-sharing between Gardaí and businesses.

o Fixed penalty notices for shop lifting.

o A meaningful intervention to address youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

Retailer Commentary – Themes & Highlights

Retailers were also invited to provide open-ended comments. Common themes include:

· Lack of deterrents: Many feel that current penalties are too light to discourage repeat offenders.

· Insufficient Garda presence: There is frustration with the visibility and responsiveness of law enforcement.

· Mental and emotional toll: Several comments noted that retail workers feel vulnerable, demoralized, and unsupported.

· Investments in private security: Numerous businesses have had to implement costly security measures, such as alarms, CCTV, personal cameras, and private security guards.

· Call for coordinated efforts: Retailers expressed interest in a national or regional task force, including better communication between Gardaí and retailers.

Retailer Comments

1. Demand for Harsher Penalties

Many retailers are frustrated with what they perceive as soft consequences for offenders.

“They need more than a slap across the hand. They need to be more afraid of what happens when they get caught.” “Harsher penalties… the laws are way too lenient.”

2. Garda Presence and Policing Gaps

Several respondents feel exposed due to insufficient policing.

“More Garda. We are sitting ducks.” “There’s no deterrent. They know they won’t be arrested.”

3. Emotional and Economic Toll

The human impact of repeated incidents was highlighted, including fear, burnout, and financial strain.

“Theft and abuse have become daily occurrences. It’s exhausting.” “There should be some kind of rebate system for retailers who are victims of crime.”

4. Lack of Follow-through by Authorities

Retailers expressed disillusionment over the Gardaí’s follow-up and justice system outcomes.

“You report it but then hear nothing.” “Zero tolerance needed. Even underage offenders—fine the parents.”

5. Support for Zero Tolerance & Reforms

A repeated call emerged for stricter enforcement, prison terms for serial offenders that are actually served, community accountability, and visibility of sanctions.

Calls for a Retail Crime Taskforce within the Gardai to address this epidemic of criminal activity in shops.

“Retailers should not have to become security guards.”

The 2025 Retail Crime Survey paints a stark picture of rising crime, inadequate law enforcement response, and a retail sector under siege. While there is cautious optimism about new legislative efforts, the retail community is united in its belief that real change hinges on enforcement, accountability, and protection for frontline staff.

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