Retail representative groups in both Ireland and Northern Ireland have called on governments on both sides of the Irish Sea to demonstrate strong leadership and a clear focus on jobs and business during the Brexit phase.
Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) said that governments need to 'establish a roadmap for exit with clear milestones where full consideration is given to the 360,000 retail jobs on the island of Ireland which are dependent on both economies'.
“There is deep concern amongst business owners about the possible impact of Brexit on both the Irish and British economies," said David Fitzsimons, CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland and Glyn Roberts, CEO, NIIRTA.
"It is important that during the Brexit phase the Northern Ireland Executive, British and Irish Governments must demonstrate strong leadership and remain focused on the many jobs which depend on functioning and open market economies. It would be a significantly regressive step if there was any hardening of the border and any introduction of tariffs and quotas. Brexit should not be to the detriment of the largest industry in both economies – Retail."
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
