The EU has launched an "in-depth" investigation into the tax affairs of Ikea after claims the retailer's deals with the Dutch government have saved it around €1bn (£880m).more
hoppers hoping to stock up last minute are likely to face festive disappointment as Britain's biggest retailers including Sainsbury's and Tesco will be shutting their doors as early as 4pm.more
Shoppers in the UK will spend a record £4.2bn on food and drink in the final week before Christmas, shrugging off higher prices caused by the fall in the value of the pound since the EU referendum.more
Marks and Spencer has launched a new type of avocado without a pit, that can be eaten whole - and the supermarket chain has said the fruit could reduce instances of "avocado hand."more
Almost half of parents will resort to 'extreme action' - such as skipping meals - after spending too much on Christmas presents for their children this year, new research reveals. A fifth see the festive season as a big financial burden, while a third dip into savings and overdrafts to pay for toys and treats, the Barclays poll shows.more
Dunnes Stores have just announced a new food offer set to rival Aldi and Lidl. The Irish chain have launched a range of 49c vegetables which includes potatoes, onions, cabbages and even avocados.more
Toys R Us has put forward plans to close at least a third of its stores in the UK next year, putting up to 800 jobs at risk. The retailer said it is working on a company voluntary agreement (CVA), which would allow it to jettison 26 loss-making stores.more
Drinkers in JD Wetherspoon pubs will have no doubt about where the boss of the chain stands on Brexit - hundreds of thousands of beer mats will be selling it to them. more
It could be a very happy Christmas for Irish retailers with shoppers taking advantage of rising wages and falling prices to spend significantly more in the weeks ahead, a new report suggests. Irish consumer spending will reach its annual peak in December with households set to spend an average of €2,654 in shops this month.more
One of the UK's busiest shopping centres has installed a "fast lane" for shoppers who are in a hurry. Lakeside Centre in Essex has marked out a bright orange 225m path especially for those looking to cut through the crowds.more
Fast-food takeaways will be banned from opening within 400 metres of schools in a bid to tackle the capital's child obesity epidemic. In addition, all new chicken, fish and chip and pizza outlets will have to sign up to minimum healthy food standards before getting planning permission.more
Dublin's very own Grafton Street has been ranked in 11th place in the top 30 European shopping streets in terms of its huge mass-market footfall, making it officially the busiest street in Ireland.more
Carrigtwohill in East Cork is being lined up by Ikea, the world's largest furniture retailer, for its second full retail store in the Republic of Ireland, with a promise of around 500 retail jobs locally. The Swedish retail giant has been actively scouting for a Cork location over the past year to add to its 410 stores in 49 countries.more
West End bosses today called for a Tokyo-style loudspeaker system to be installed after the outbreak of mass panic at Oxford Circus on Friday. Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of the New West End Company which represents around 600 shops, restaurants and other businesses, said a public address network would allow authorities to provid advice and information "in real time" in an emergency.more
A massive 21.5 million people are expected to splurge millions of pounds online as prices are slashed for Cyber Monday. Experts predict sales could beat Black Friday to become Britain's biggest shopping day, as online retailers cut prices and continue deals at the end of the four-day pre-Christmas shopping event.more
Discount retailer Dealz is to take on Penneys by putting value clothing and fashion into its Irish stores. The chain, which is part of the same franchise as Poundland in the United Kingdom, plans to put Pep&Co clothing outlets into its larger stores here.more
Leading UK supermarket, Tesco announced it will be closing its meat and seafood counter at six of its UK locations due to lack of customer interest, the chain said.more
As of March 1, 2018, there will be two trading Sundays per month, in 2019 - only one in month, and since 2020 it will be forbidden to trade on all Sundays, except for seven per year - assumes the Trade Restriction Act on Sunday.more