Retail Ireland Monitor October 2021

Key retail, economic and consumer trends

As the economy reopens significant labour market challenges have emerged. Retailers are having serious problems recruiting staff. Some of these challenges will ease as more people return to the labour market and the PUP is phased out, but there are other big issues. High rents make Ireland a less attractive place to return to for many EU workers that left during the pandemic. Addressing these cost of living issues will be central to addressing the long-term labour market challenges.