NEWS UPDATE

Embracing the Future of Retail Kelly Murphy, Foy's SuperValu, Co. Cavan, Aisling Joyce, Joyce's Supermarkets, Co. Galway and Kealin Ryan of Raheen Foodstore, Co. Limerick at the launch of the RGDATA App

JULY 2014

Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton launches the new Retail Consultation Forum in Dublin Castle on June 9. RGDATA is represented by Tara Buckley who raises the cost of doing business; Employers' PRSI, the unnecessary new tobacco licence and value for money for commercial rates in a wide ranging discussion about what Budget 2015 should address to assist the retail sector. The Forum meets again in September.

IF YOU WANT US TO CREATE JOBS BRING BACK THE 4.25% EMPLOYERS’ PRSI: RGDATA DELEGATION TELLS DAIL COMMITTEE Reinstate the 4.25% Employers’ PRSI if you want retailers to create and retain jobs in towns and villages, RGDATA will told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on June 24.   RGDATA highlighted the unique contribution independent shops make to Irish towns and villages. And pointed out that €100 spent in an independent shop is worth three times more to a local community than if it was spent in a global chain.

The RGDATA delegation included, Hugh Doyle, Donnybrook Fair, Tara Buckley, RGDATA, and Colin Fee, Mace, Co. Louth (pictured) and Eamonn Gavin, Centra, Co. Cavan.

RGDATA REPRESENTING INDEPENDENTS AT GOVERNMENT’S RETAIL FORUM

MAY JUNE JULY 2014: RGDATA ACTIVITY

TACKLING THE BLACK MARKET: RGDATA HIGHLIGHTS INDEPENDENT RETAILER ISSUES AT REVENUE & GARDA FORUMS RGDATA raises retailers' concerns at illegal black market activity at the Hidden Economy Monitoring Group. Tara Buckley raises illegal tobacco and alcohol sales. At the National Retail Forum at Garda HQ RGDATA supports initiatives to address concerns about Data Protection legislation protecting criminals caught on CCTV. RGDATA PUTS RETAILER CONCERNS RE COST OF CARD PAYMENTS ON AGENDA AT CENTRAL BANK RGDATA surveys members for the Card Payment Group at the Central Bank and Tara Buckley gets retailers' concerns at the high hidden costs associated with contactless payments adopted as an item at the National Payments Plan Steering Committee. AN POST IS CURBING COMPETITION: RGDATA COMPLAINT TO COMPETITION AUTHORITY RGDATA makes a complaint to the Competition Authority regarding an order by An Post to retailers, to stop providing services from other parties which compete with services offered by An Post. PERMIT A DISCREET MARK TO AID RETAIL STAFF: RGDATA PRESENTATION TO HEALTH COMMITTEE ON PLAIN PACKAGING OF TOBACCO RGDATA makes a presentation to the Oireachtas Health Committee hearings on Plain Packaging of Tobacco in advance of the introduction of new legislation to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products. RGDATA PARTICIPATES IN HERITAGE COUNCIL PLANNING POLICY GROUP Director General Tara Buckley makes a presentation to the Heritage Council about how independent family owned shops are vital to ensure the vibrancy and vitality of all towns and villages. Buckley stresses the importance of strategic planning policy, the Retail Planning Guidelines and curbing edge of town and out of town retail development until derelict town centre sites and vacant shops are redeveloped.  

RGDATA DEMANDS GOVERNMENT ACTION ON UPWARD ONLY RENTS

RGDATA, along with 11 trade associations, demands that the Government adopt the proposed laws to stop landlords forcing up high-street rents. The group of industry and export bodies comes together to press the coalition to live up to commitments given three years ago to abolish upward-only rent reviews.

RGDATA IN THE NEWS RGDATA is constantly representing your views to the media. Here are just a few of the media we appeared on in 2014:

� Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 � RTE News at One � Drivetime with Mary Wilson RTE Radio � The Pat Kenny Show - Newstalk � The Last Word with Matt Cooper –

Today FM � Sunday Times, Irish Times, Irish

Independent � ShelfLife Magazine, Checkout

Magazine and Retail News

MEDIA TRAINING SEMINAR A GREAT SUCCESS

Pictured are some of the participants from the recent RGDATA Media Training Event: Back row: Linda Madden,James Moriarty, The Moriarty Group, Hugh Doyle, Donnybrook Fair. Middle Row: Kelly Murphy, Foy's SuperValu, Cootehill, Co. Cavan, Aisling Joyce, Joyce's Supermarkets, Galway, Sheila Clarke, Clarke's XL, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Breda Cahill, Cahill's Centra Marley Park, Dublin. Front Row: Kealin Ryan of Raheen Foodstore, Limerick, Tara Buckley, RGDATA, Leona Browne, Kilcock Service Station, Co. Kildare

RGDATA writes to Premier Lotteries seeking clarification regarding the operation of the National Lottery under the new licence. RGDATA seeks assurances about no additional costs to retail agents; clarification about a proposed new bond payment structure, deposits; continuity of service and investment in retail sales.

RGDATA's intervention gets a commitment from Minister Bruton to amend Competition & Consumer Protection Bill so new compliance measures do not apply to ALL symbol group stores. A success for RGDATA which monitors all new legislation to ensure no adverse impact on independent retailers.

RGDATA ENSURES NO ADDITIONAL COMPLIANCE COSTS & RED TAPE BURDEN FOR SYMBOL GROUP STORES

RGDATA ASKS NEW LOTTERY OWNER TO ADDRESS RETAILERS’ CONCERNS

RGDATA CALLS FOR NEW BANKING PROTOCOL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

RGDATA comes together with The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI), Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) to send a clear message to the Government that the current way of negotiation between banks and small businesses in dealing with credit difficulties, is not working.

MEMBER BENEFITS

ONE NEW MESSAGE FROM: RGDATA SUBJECT: DON’T MISS OUR EZINE If you’re not getting our bi-monthly ezine, packed with industry news and expert advice, call us on 01 2834188 or email rgdata@rgdata.ie to subscribe today.

RGDATA 24/7 Support Services Check out our recently revamped 24/7 support services! You can now avail of 24/7 support services through our website www.rgdata.ie. There you will find all the essential information for running your shop. Some of our most recent additions to our support services include:

� Recruitment Guide � Updated staff contract template � Local PR Kit � Guide to Payment Service Providers � Importing & Exporting Goods � Register of Employees Essential Info � Shop Local Campaign Starter Pack

Our popular helpline is open Monday to Friday with Sheila and Carmel waiting to talk to you about any issue relating to your business. From maternity leave to preparing for an audit, they provide expert advice and a friendly ear. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and dial 01 – 2834188 no problem is too big or too small. RGDATA Member’s Tip of the Month Looking for some inspiration? Check out RGDATA’s Online News where once a month a retailer explains an innovative way they are combating the economic crisis and making a profit. Watch the videos at www.rgdata.ie RGDATA Training Initatives In 2014 RGDATA launched the ‘Next Generation’ initative to give expert training to the retailers of the future. Our first seminar was a huge success. If you’d like to take part in RGDATA FREE training email rgdata@rgdata.ie.

RGDATA Planning RGDATA is the ONLY trade association that actively encourages sustainable retail development, opposes out of town shops and proactively campaigns for vibrant and vital towns, villages and local communities. Have a query about planning or need advice about making a planning objection? Call us on 01- 2834188 or email rgdata@rgdata.ie Expert Advice & Affinity Deals Avail of our Expert Advice Partners and Affinity Deals and Offers to help you cut costs and get a better deal on relevant services. Check out the latest deals at www.rgdata.ie members only section. RGDATA Communications Keep up to date on all the retail grocery industry news with RGDATA’s bi-monthly E-Zine, RGDATA’s instant ‘Newsflash’ and RGDATA’s new Retail Toolkit app.

And that’s not all… Look at what we can do for your business. Make the most of your membership by availing of our member benefits:

Thank you for your continuing support for RGDATA Your trade association representing Ireland’s independent shops and supermarkets

for over 70 years CALL: 01-2834188 CLICK: WWW.RGDATA.IE MAIL: RGDATA@RGDATA.IE