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.

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Chevron: looking to leave the Irish market?

Chevron is believed to be in negotiations with the UK's largest independent fuel retailer, Malthurst Fuels, to sell part of its Texaco branded service station network in Ireland. After reporting a loss in 2008, it is possible that Chevron, along with ExxonMobil, the only other oil major left in the country, could follow Shell and Statoil's decision to exit the Irish market altogether.

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French Connection: fashion retailer posts mixed results

While total growth at French Connection was up 4% in H1 2009, sales for the UK and Europe were down 1.3% driven mainly by the poor performance of its wholesaling division. However, 11 new concessions in House of Fraser stores drove retail growth in the UK and Europe up 7.7%. While the retailer will benefit from recent product range investment, it is essential that it continues to manage its costs.

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Fuel retail: Ireland gears up for first motorway service stations

Several new motorway service stations are expected to open on the Emerald Isle over the next couple of years, and leading petrol retailers such as Statoil [STL.OL], Esso and Texaco would be foolish not to seize this fresh opportunity to capture a larger share of the Irish market for both fuel and non-fuel products.

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Fuel retailers use loyalty promotions to highlight their non-fuel products and services

In February, two major fuel retailers launched promotions in an attempt to generate loyalty and promote higher margin, non-fuel products and services. However, with a recent Verdict survey indicating that European motorists are more concerned about fuel prices and service station location and less about brand loyalty, retailers will find it difficult to make customers interested in such schemes.

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Fuel retailing: Ireland still waiting for motorway services

The Irish National Roads Authority has stated that there will be no new motorway service stations in Ireland until 2009 at the earliest, partly because of lack of interest. However, this seems somewhat surprising as, if executed correctly, oil companies could profit from running motorway service stations in the country.

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Fuel retailing: Irish to pump up the volume at 6.7% per year

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Game Group: had the gain, now for the pain

Fears of a major slump in the previously buoyant video games market have been realized by a trading update from market leader Game Group. The highly cyclical nature of the sector has been highlighted by the dual release of Game's figures for the 53 weeks to January 31, 2009, in which total UK and Ireland sales were up 25.7%, and for the 11 weeks to April 18, 2009, in which they were down 2.4%.

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HMV Group: HMV updating, Waterstone's stagnating

HMV Group has announced encouraging results for the 16 weeks to April 25, 2009, defying the overall decline among its core product sectors. While HMV UK & Ireland is well placed to exploit a lack of high street competition in its core categories and sales opportunities that will arise from its numerous new ventures, Waterstone's faces an uphill struggle in its bid to reverse its fortunes.

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Kingfisher: results better than expected; outlook bleak

DIY retail group Kingfisher has posted better than expected results for 2008/09, with total retail sales up 11.1% to GBP5,130m, masking a like-for-like decline of 2.6%. However, the gloomy prospects for the DIY market could mean hard times ahead for Kingfisher. In the current climate, managing costs and cashflows has become all important, as the global outlook continues to darken by the day.

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