Budget Must Build on Retail Sales Momentum

Chambers Ireland has welcomed today’s (29/08/13) CSO figures which show a 6.1% rise in the volume of retail sales between June and July and urged the Government to build on this momentum by supporting retailers and SMEs in the budget.

Speaking this morning, Seán Murphy, Chambers Ireland Deputy Chief Executive said, “While we would expect sectors such as clothing, books and stationery to record an increase at this time of year, it’s encouraging to see that there was also a significant year on year increase of 4.7. The earlier date for Budget 2014 should reduce the anxiety felt by many consumers in the run-up to the vital Christmas period. This should allow retailers to capitalise on the positive trading period reflected in these figures. 

“These positive figures provide the Government with the perfect opportunity to support continued improvement through Budget 2014. Chambers Ireland has already made a number of recommendations to this effect in our pre budget submission including:

•    Mandating the introduction of ‘free parking windows’ in town centres where the first two hours are free would be of significant benefit to retailers in town centres;
•    The introduction of a targeted rates reductions for companies located within town and city centres, which provide much needed employment and contribute to the quality of life in these areas, would have a considerable impact on retailers; and
•    Rapid implementation of the transition to epayment coupled with the abolition of stamp duty on payment cards and an increase in duty charges for cheques.

For a full range of measures, please see Chambers Ireland’s Pre Budget Submission here.

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For further information contact Amy Woods, Chambers Ireland on 01 400 4319, 086 6081605 or email amy.woods@www.chambers.ie