Beer: Irish drink 127 liters on average per year

Published By Datamonitor

Biofuels: not all hands to the pump

With work beginning on a new biodiesel plant in Co Wexford, Ireland, biofuel critics have continued to argue that mass biofuel production will lead to farmers converting most of their tillable land to plants for biofuel production, pushing up food prices. However, such large-scale conversion is unlikely for several reasons, not least that biofuel consumption remains very limited in Ireland.

Published By Datamonitor

Booming Ireland attracts International Retailers

A new report published by retail analysts Verdict Research finds that an explosion of new retail space is transforming the retail landscape in the Republic of Ireland. Over the last decade, retailers have capitalized on the growing affluence of Irish consumers and expanded into the Irish Republic's E24.4 billion retail market, which has grown by 34% over the last five years.

Published By Datamonitor

Bord Gais: there's no place like home

While Bord Gais takes the first step towards aggressively tackling the UK market, gains to be made back home cannot be ignored. In the lull after Ireland's final move towards liberalization, Bord Gais must seize the moment to reap rewards and protect its position before other European power suppliers arrive on Irish shores.

Published By Datamonitor

Bristol & West: no more mortgages

The Bank of Ireland has announced that it will be closing down its Bristol & West subsidiary as it seeks to reduce its exposure to the UK mortgage market and redirect its focus on the domestic Irish market. With buy-to-let mortgage deals becoming increasingly scarce, this latest development is another step backwards for the industry as a whole.

Published By Datamonitor

British Airways: going down with a red face

BA has lost its top-flight status by dropping out of the FTSE 100. While the news is bad enough for the group, low cost airline Ryanair's decision to issue a statement saying it was applying to take their place was worse still. Since the Irish airline is not eligible to join the FTSE 100, the aim of its statement is clear - to further humiliate its archrival.

Published By Datamonitor

BT/mmO2: reinvigorated after the breakup

BT and mmO2 will hope the split draws a veil over the company's dire performance over the last few years. But while the prospects for the newly demerged divisions do seem a little stronger, the management still has a great deal to prove. And despite rumors that the new companies will be taken over, any such deals look some time away.

Published By Datamonitor

Buyingpower: can it push into Europe fast enough?

Published By Datamonitor

C&C: aiming to repeat Magners success in Europe

C&C Group has begun conducting market tests for its Magners cider brand in Spain and Germany. Feasibility studies have commenced to determine the likelihood of success for Magners in Europe. After a strong performance in the UK, Magners is now looking to increase profits through expansion, but will find it difficult to replicate the success achieved in the UK.

Published By Datamonitor

C&C: pioneering the cider revival?

Cider appears to be undergoing something of a renaissance, as illustrated by C&C's strong financial results, which were buoyed by sales of its Magners and Bulmers brands. However, while the premiumization of C&C's cider offerings has contributed to the company's success in Ireland, it may still be some time before the UK market accepts the category as a valid alternative to wine and spirits.

Published By Datamonitor