RGDATA has called for urgent government intervention to help job creation in the retail sector.
The retail representative group made its call following the publication of statistics which showed that the number of people employed in the retail and wholesale sector fell by 2,000 in the last year.
This was despite a general improvement in employment numbers over the same period, with 33,500 new jobs being created across the economy.
Tara Buckley, Director General of RGDATA said these statistics highlights the need for more government initiatives in the retail sector: “Sectors that have seen some government measures such as Construction (home renovation scheme), Accommodation and Food (9% Vat rate) and the motor trade (new split registrations) have seen employment growth. New innovative measures are required for the retail sector if jobs from this important part of the economy are to be supported and sustained”.
Buckley also called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation to avoid policies that may add to employers’ costs “at this difficult time”.
