Ban On Shop Sizes To Be Lifted

A government body has called for the government to lift the size restrictions presently in force on grocery shops.

Irish grocery retailers presently face restrictions banning them from opening "hyperstores" like those seen in Europe, but calls from the Competition Authority could see this ban lifted and the first hyperstores in Ireland.

The Authority believes the restriction makes it difficult for Irish retailers to be competitive in the European market, and could see cheaper groceries for customers.

Bill Prasifka, Chairperson of the Authority: "The retail planning system limits competition among grocery retailers and as a result consumers are not getting the best possible choice or value for money."

He added: "Ireland does not have any large scale, low cost grocery retailers, as exist in other European countries; discount retailers face more stringent limitations on size than other grocery retailers; size restrictions on grocery retailers result in less shelf space and subsequently less competition between branded goods."

The news comes as this month has seen Irish shoppers flocking to the north due to the strength and purchasing power of the Euro increasing against the pound.

(DW/JM)