Full coverage: Retail

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.

Luxury leather accessories brand My Name is Ted was founded in 2017. However, its biggest growth came during the pandemic, when sales increased by 400%. Co-founder Kasia Gaborec-McEvoy talks about pivoting online, attracting well-heeled clients and why the company is now looking to raise funds.

Irish households’ savings have increased by nearly €5 billion so far this year. Where they spend it could decide the future of many businesses.