Fewer than four in ten independent grocery and convenience retailers expect to make a profit this year, according to a new RGDATA survey ahead of Budget 2027.
Almost two-thirds expect to break even, make a loss or do not yet know whether they will make a profit.
RGDATA, the representative association for over 3,000 independent family-owned grocery shops, convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets across Ireland, has highlighted the findings in an open letter to Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris and Minister Jack Chambers.
The letter follows recent comments that Budget 2027 should support people who get up early and work hard. Calling themselves “Ireland’s Really Early Risers”, RGDATA members are asking Government to recognise the long hours being put in by independent retailers and the impact of successive increases in the cost of doing business.
RGDATA Director General Roseanne Regan said:
“Independent grocery and convenience retailers are exactly the kind of hard-working small businesses we keep hearing this Budget is supposed to support. They put in long hours, employ people locally and provide an essential service in towns and villages across Ireland.
“But these businesses operate on tight margins and there has been a pile-on of additional Government-imposed costs over the past few years. They cannot keep absorbing one increase after another. Budget 2027 needs to support these businesses, not make it increasingly difficult for them to keep their doors open.”
In its Budget 2027 submission, RGDATA has called for targeted employer PRSI relief, action on energy, utility and insurance costs, a reduction in the regulatory burden, support for retailers facing crime and no further increases in State-imposed employment costs.
