Retail Excellence has said that today's truckers' and hauliers’ protest against rising fuel prices represents a "body-blow" to retailers in Dublin city at a crucial time of the year for sales.
The Irish Truckers and Haulage Association Against Fuel Prices is holding a day-long demonstration in Dublin.
It follows a similar protest last month which had significant ramifications for retailers.
Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence, said every industry is under fire from various quarters at present and retailers have some sympathy for the plight of the hauliers. However, he said that sympathy is rapidly running out.
"At this time of the year, retailers take in approximately €200 million every day, and it beggars belief that one group would act in this way to restrict access to the capital city and in doing so, imperil livelihoods at a time when every trading day counts."
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He said that Dublin had been particularly badly affected by Covid restrictions and that this protest comes at the worst possible time.
"Footfall in Dublin city centre is down by 30% on 2019 levels, as people continue to steer clear of the capital and instead shop online or in suburban shopping centres.
"This action by truckers and hauliers is a body-blow which will drive another nail into the coffin of many city centre retailers who are in desperation mode now."
Mr Graham said in any normal year, the Christmas period is critically important for retailers. "This year – after months of enforced closures, decreased footfall, the increased cost of trade, severe weather disruption and having to contend with the same fuel prices that hauliers are protesting against – it will be the difference between survival and closure."
