Up to 100 local shops close annually in Ireland with at least three outlets shutting their doors every fortnight, according to the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA).
It says the future of small, mostly family-owned shops around the country is a concern for many people, particularly those who live in rural Ireland.
Flora Crowe employs around 50 people across two retail outlets in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare.
Her family has a 40-year history in the retail sector, which she says is particularly challenging these days on the cost and security front.
“We can’t escape the cost of wages, and we don’t know where we’re going yet with the sick pay increase and the auto-enrolment scheme.
“The fact they are paused is, I know, unfair on employees but we need a breather and if we can’t afford to pay these wages there will be no jobs.
“The last thing I want to do is cut hours. We have a fantastic workforce, and we don’t want to lose anyone,” Ms Crowe said.
Newly-appointed President of the CSNA Sara Orme runs a retail and forecourt outlet, along with her husband Paul, in Devlin, Co Westmeath.
Day-to-day running costs are also something that Sara is acutely aware of.
“We’re 19 years here in April. Electricity was the big cost after Covid and Ukraine.
“We’ve had to become more energy efficient like doors on fridges and upgrade ovens. That has really helped.
“Waste disposal is another one and we’re really big here on recycling. We’ve really cut our prices there,” said Ms Orme, who employs 14 people.
‘People are finding it difficult’
Gerry and Patsy Morrissey have been running Morrissey’s shop and post office in Kilmurry McMahon in west Clare for more than 40 years.
A member of the Morrissey family has operated the outlet since a shop was first opened at the location in 1869.
Gerry Morrissey, who took over the running of the shop in 1980, said: “It’s great to think that we have been here that length of time. We are proud of that.”
While Gerry and Patsy are the only full-time employees, rising product costs are also a significant factor.
“Even the bar of chocolate is gone up so much,” Patsy says.
“Was it last week that butter and bread went up €1 between the two of them?
“We don’t get an extra euro in on our income. I’d say people are finding it difficult,” Patsy reflected.
Another big cost is security and it is one that is rising.
“We’re in business 40 years and we’ve always had a certain level of crime. But since Covid there has been a marked increase in crime,” Ms Crowe said.
“We’ve had our own burglaries, and we’ve had a massive increase in shoplifting.
“CCTV can only take us over far. We’ve locks and grilles on our doors. Nobody wants it but unfortunately that’s the way things are gone,” she said.
Sara Orme echoes that sentiment.
“You have to be alert all the time. Sometimes it’s the person you don’t expect, and drive-offs are a huge issue with the fuel.
“The margin on fuel is very tight. That €80 is nearly full cost gone and the chances of recouping that are very low,” she said.
‘Different times’ for children of retailers
While costs are a clear issue the issue of succession is also a concern.
Not every son or daughter of a shop owner wants to take on the responsibility of keeping the show on the road seven days a week.
“They’re not all willing to put in the hours. They grew up in different times I suppose,” Patsy Morrissey said.
“Kids have more now than what we had when we were growing up and they don’t want to be tied down seven days a week,” she added.
However, her husband Gerry is hopeful that a fifth generation of Morrissey’s will step up.
“We hope that one of the family members might take it on. They haven’t really decided yet whether they will or not.
“But hopefully down the line they might do that,” he said.
Flora Crowe is also hoping that one of her children will one day end up taking over from her.
“The work is very hard and there’s no escape from it, but I really hope that one of my kids do take it over,” she said.
On another note, Patsy Morrissey has some important advice for people who might intend working in or running a local shop.
“No gossiping. You can be told the story but you don’t repeat it back,” she laughed.
