Full coverage: Retail

Non-essential retail outlets are set to open in the coming days. But just what sort of trading environment will they open to? An analysis of two retail chains at opposite ends of the financial spectrum offers an insight into the future of the high street in a post pandemic world.

Ireland’s book industry was largely unscathed by the lockdowns last year. This was largely due to the increasing number of retailers who have grown their online presence. Cáit Caden talks to people in various areas of the industry about the challenges and the perks of working in the book business.

Ian Galvin reflects on the life of Galen Weston who combined clear-eyed vision with an instinct to let the best people do their best work.

With Unilever Ventures, Jan Harley backed billion-euro businesses including Instacart and Gousto. He talks about a career in venture capital, the future of groceries, AI and why he went full-time with the fast-growing Irish start-up Buymie.

Those who lost their jobs when the retailer’s Irish stores went into liquidation one year ago were promised enhanced redundancy, but existing rules means there is no money to pay it. How will the stand-off end?

The founders of Clickandcollection.com have been at the coalface of restaurants’ shift to online and “at home”. One year after they were forced to pivot themselves, they are now regrouping to power this new channel for more small businesses – in Ireland and abroad.

As dozens of commercial tenants and landlords face off in the courts over missed rents during Covid-19 restrictions, one interim judgement has laid the ground rules on relevant evidence from multi-store retailers.

The dual impact of the pandemic and Brexit has unleashed devastation across the domestic economy. One exception appears to be food manufacturing, where Irish brands could capitalise on changes in shopping habits into the future.

While some commercial property owners take beleaguered tenants to court, others agree to link rent and revenue. Could this become a standard clause in retail leases?

Eason faces a legal clash over rent arrears with a German fund as challenging trading conditions continue to prevail as a result of the pandemic.