RGDATA President Colin Fee has highlighted the significant contribution made by community retailers to Irish towns and villages at a special event in Brussels.
The event, which took place at the European Parliament, was entitled 'The Social Impact of Independent Retailers in the Local Community' and was hosted by MEP Arne Gericke and Independent Retail Europe.
Drawing from the recently published Local Heroes II report, which was commissioned by RGDATA and compiled by renowned economist Jim Power, Fee highlighted the €3.6 billion invested annually in the national economy by locally-owned independent retailers, as well as the 90,000 jobs which they create.
Fee also noted that money spent in local shops is worth three times more to the local community than that spent in larger retailers. The report shows that every €100 spent in a locally-owned shop results in an injection of €50 into the local economy.
Commenting on the presentation, Tara Buckley, Director General, RGDATA said; "As the representative association for 4,000 of Ireland’s independent family owned grocery and convenience stores, RGDATA is delighted to have this opportunity to take part in this important EU workshop. It is vital that MEPs hear directly from local community retailers, so that they understand the unique contribution that they make.
"Colin Fee is a great example of a Local Hero – he is a local Irish entrepreneur who runs three shops with his brother Eugene, providing 98 jobs in Dundalk and Blackrock, Co Louth. He has travelled to Brussels today to share RGDATA’s Local Heroes II research on the contribution of independent family owned shops with the wider European audience and discuss the Irish experience," she continued.
Mr Fee adde; "As President of RGDATA, I believe it is important that politicians and regulators hear directly from local entrepreneurs about the issues and concerns we have about EU regulation and red tape, and the impact it has on small family owned businesses."
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
