John Lahart
Question:55. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the review of the retail sector will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52619/21]
View answerTuesday, 2 November 2021
Questions (55)
Written answers
Following an open competition on e-tenders, KPMG Future Analytics were commissioned by my Department to carry out a research study to identify and analyse the key factors that have impacted the retail sector in recent years and the likely future trends, opportunities and challenges facing the retail sector.
The Study will provide an evidence-based foundation for ongoing engagement with retail sector stakeholders and will identify retail sector policy options for consideration by my Department and by Government.
Research will be carried out:
- To define the retail landscape in Ireland
- To identify the immediate issues facing the retail sector in Ireland
- To identify the likely future trends, opportunities and challenges facing Ireland’s retail sector.
Consideration will also be given to what is happening in other important policy areas where the retail sector features such as the Town Centre First Initiative, Night-time Economy Policy, the Experience economy, Climate policy, and the Digital/AI Policy.
The research will also include a Literature Review, the focus of which, will be on available international and domestic information and data.
Case studies will be undertaken and an examination of international retail activity to understand the driving factors changing international retail trends.
A draft set of recommendations will be prepared for my Department on policy approaches to the developmental priorities and needs of the retail sector across the regions in Ireland, with a view to increasing productivity and innovation and with a specific focus on aligning these with existing policy objectives in relation to digitalisation, climate change and skills.
I understand that currently, as part of the research, engagement with stakeholders in a number of ways is ongoing, including via an online survey and through the conducting of key informant interviews. Online workshop with stakeholders will also be held later this year.
I also have been informed that the online survey for retail businesses is still available and can be completed by contacting my officials at retail@enterprise.gov.ie.
This study is an important piece of work to understand the retail landscape in Ireland and to inform how policy interventions can best work to ensure the future success of Ireland’s retail sector.
The research is due to be completed by the end of Q4 2021.