NSAI COVID-19 Retail Protection and Improvement Guide.

Registration for the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) is now open to qualifying businesses via the e-Registration facility in ROS.

Hand sanitisers: Retailers should only source supplies of biocide sanitiser products that are correctly labelled and registered on the Biocidal Products Register.

IMDO report on Maritime Connectivity which highlights the capacity of existing continental services to accommodate displaced land-bridge traffic.

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley gave a presentation as part of Sandyford Business District Innovation Week 2020 “Future of Towns & Cities” session. Buckley highlighted the significant role that independent grocers play in vibrant towns and communities; the success of the Collaborative Town Centre Health Check programme and why the Government needed joined up thinking to deliver the Town Centre First policy promised in the Programme for Government. You can view the presentation here.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has responded to RGDATA’s letter re introducing penal sanctions for shoppers who refuse to wear face masks without reasonable excuse. You can read the email response here.

The Cost of Insurance Working Group (CWIG) started with a bang back in 2016 when an RGDATA delegation of independent retailers gave a passionate presentation on why small businesses needed action to tackle rising insurance costs. It ended with a whimper on Friday when it published its 11th and final report. The insurance reform agenda has now been passed to a Cabinet Sub Committee led by the Tanaiste and packed with all the key Ministers including Finance, Justice and Public Expenditure. RGDATA has sent the Sub Committee an amended Occupiers Liability Act that rebalances the onerous Duty of Care imposed on property owners. “RGDATA has drafted the legislation. Now we are urging the Government to get moving on introducing the changes required to get the crippling costs of insurance under control,” RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley. The CWIG 11th report is available here. The Alliance for Insurance Reform reaction is here.

Import Controls Operations at the Department of Agriculture is inviting independent retailers who are importing products of animal or plant origin or plant products from the UK to contact them for a one to one briefing re the finalisation of preparations for the end of the transition period. Get all the details here. Brexit preparedness checklist is here. Advice from the Food Safety Authority is available here. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any Brexit concerns you want us to raise with Government or regulators.

Shopfront Ireland is a new virtual shopfront for local shops and producers across Ireland. Click here to see the website or get involved.

Minister Damien English has asked the Retail Consultation Forum to convene to discuss the Level 5 restrictions following concerns about some large retailers continuing to sell non-essential goods despite the Level 5 lockdown. The meeting will take place at 9.30am on Wednesday 28 October.

Please take a few minutes to complete this in strictist confidence.  Click here for the short survey.

Click here for the Retail Protection Guide and here for the Plan for Living with COVID-19.

“We look forward to engaging with you comprehensively on the introduction of a DRS scheme.” The Irish Beverage council has issued an open letter to RGDATA members regarding the Government’s plan to introduce a Deposit & Return Scheme for beverage containers. You can read the letter here.