The largest body representing Ireland's retail industry has warned that retail trade has fallen by up to 50% in some areas as fuel blockades continue to cause severe disruption across the country.
In a statement today, Retail Excellence Ireland has called for the blockades to end and for "meaningful engagement between all parties and Government to begin without delay."
The group's chief executive Jean McCabe said that while he understands "the very real pressures facing hauliers and farmers", "retailers face similar challenges".
"But the hard reality is that the actions being taken to highlight those pressures are now threatening the livelihoods of thousands of other businesses and workers right across the country," Ms McCabe said.
According to REI's data, footfall in urban centres including Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick has fallen by approximately 50%,"the sharpest single-day decline many retailers have experienced."
Ms McCabe warned that the disruption is creating serious pressure points across retail supply chains.
Empty service stations are having "a significant knock-on effect through supply chains," REI's statement said.
Ms McCabe called on "all sides to come to the table", calling the current situation "unsustainable for everyone".
