Huge changes for Irish retail

Retail consultancy Verdict Research is predicting “seismic shifts” in Irish retailing, creating a number of opportunities for retail design groups.

An imminent review of current planning restrictions on large stores could lead to a spate of new store formats, says Verdict’s latest report, Verdict on Ireland 2000. Grocery stores are currently limited to a maximum floorspace area of 3000m2, or 3500m2 if in Dublin.

If local planning rules are not relaxed, a run of mergers and acquisitions is expected to allow a different route to retail growth, again using new varieties of retail format.

Either scenario will lead to an increase in the current trend of overseas retail companies heading into the Irish market, the report predicts.