Retail group backs FG-Labour

Retail Excellence Ireland has urged voters to vote for a Fine Gael- Labour government.

This follows a "detailed analysis" of the retail-related policies of the three main parties, the group said.

The organisation, which represents 650 leading retail companies and over 8,500 stores, said that Fine Gael and Labour's reform proposals on areas such as commercial rents, joint labour committees and retail planning guidelines are "the right proposals to sustain the retail industry through the recession."

He said that imediate and urgent intervention by a Fine Gael- Labour Government on these issues will allow retailers breathing space to survive and consolidate their businesses.

"We are sending out a clear message to the 255,000 people currently working in Ireland's retail industry, the 40,000 people who have lost their retail jobs in the past 30 months and the 140,000 whose jobs rely on a vibrant and functioning retail industry – a vote for Fine Gael and the Labour Party is a vote in support of Ireland largest private sector employer, retail," Retail Excellence Ireland's David Fitzsimons said.

He said the Fianna Fail- Green Party coalition had made the situation for retailers, which has adversely been affected by consumer sentiment and spend since 2007, "significantly worse."

“The mix of policies from Fine Gael and Labour, once implemented within the first 100 days of Government, will support jobs, reduce prices to consumers and will greatly assist the recovery of Ireland’s largest industry" he said.