The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association has said that the introduction of a 'living wage' of €11.50 an hour would mean "fewer people working, fewer people employed for the first time and existing workers having a reduction in their hours". Commenting in its weekly newsletter, the CSNA said that it believes the retail sector is "not necessarily the first (or even the second) most likely beneficiary of additional spending power" that would result from an increased wage.
A survey by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has revealed that while small businesses are largely active in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, only 54% said that their activities could be classified as such. The survey revealed that 94% of SMEs donate money to charity, while 38% are in partnership with a specific charity.
Retail Excellence Ireland has called on the government to do more to reduce employment costs, if domestic businesses, particularly retailers, are to see any marked increase in employment. In the group's pre-Budget submission, REI chief executive David Fitzsimons said that there are fears that the "Low Pay Commission will deliver compulsory pay increases to a still-challenged industry later this month. It will be vital that An Taoiseach explains how the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission will be reflected in Budget 2016 in a way that will not result in an increase in employment costs for employers."
A mother and daughter accused of shoplifting in a Dunnes Stores in Limerick have been awarded €45,000 in damages. The Irish Examiner reported that Judge James O’Donohue awarded the money to Mary and Tamara McNamara, as the security man approaching them outside the Parkway store did not have security identification, and failed to call the gardaí.
Doctors in the UK are backing calls for a 20% sugar tax to be introduced on sugar-sweetened drinks to tackle the growing obesity epidemic. A report released by the British Medical Association has demanded the tax alongside a range of tough measures, such as a clampdown on the marketing of unhealthy food to children, with the aim of reducing the impact poor diets are having on young people.
Last week saw Charleville Cheese launch its #propersnacking campaign, encouraging workers to take 15-minute snack breaks, to coincide with the release of Charleville Snackfuls – a range of cheddar cheese, crackers and chutney or relish in snack-packs designed to get “Ireland snacking properly” on nutritious food.
Lyons Tea has come ‘on board’ as a sponsor of the Row A-Round Ireland challenge, to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research. Row A-Round Ireland set off from Bray on May 30, and the team has so far battled heavy weather and treacherous currents to make it to the North-West coast.
Budding architects in primary schools across Ireland are being invited by Fyffes to show off their talent in a bid to get extra accommodation for their school through the ‘Go Bananas’ educational app. Children between 7 and 10 are being given the change to come up with and design a use for a shipping container; the best design will be brought to life by Fyffes and donated to the winner’s school.
Chopstix noodle bar has opened its fourth site in the Republic of Ireland at Applegreen's Swords outlet, located on the Malahide Road in Dublin. The partnership between Chopstix Groups UK and Applegreen plc will see further franchise openings across the Applegreen portfolio in the months to come.
Linwoods hosted a fast-paced cook-off between Dublin GAA senior hurlers Eamon Dillon and Chris Crummey, and footballers Jonny Cooper and Paddy Andrews last week, under the watchful eye of RTE Sport presenter and star of The Restaurant, Des Cahill. The challenge formed part of Linwoods’ partnership with Dublin GAA.
A woman’s complaint about weak tea and poor customer service in Marks & Spencer's Blanchardstown outlet has gone viral, the Irish Independent has reported. Marie Byrne posted her complaint on the company’s Facebook page, in which she accused the supermarket of serving her elderly parents weak tea in its café, claiming that the store insisted that they pay extra for another tea bag being put into the pot.
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