Did you know…The Low Pay Commission has issued a called for submissions on the national minimum wage? The group is seeking the views of anyone with an interest in the issue, as part of a public consultation process. The commission is seeking any comments, observations and submissions to be made in writing before their deadline of 5pm Monday the 13th of April.
Did you know… The former Mayor of Fermoy, Olive Corcoran, has slammed the presence of parking meters as “destroying” the town centre? Corcoran made her comments in an interview with local paper The Avondhu. She called the parking meters an incentive to shoppers to avoid the centre of the town, pushing business to multinationals with free parking, like Lidl and Aldi. “These big multinationals like Aldi and Lidl – it’s great to have them in one way - but it shouldn’t be to the detriment of the ordinary small shop. Once all of those town centre shops are gone, the multinationals can then charge what they like,” she said.
Did you know… National Lottery chief executive Dermot Griffin has told the Sunday Independent that problems with lottery machines could be set to continue for the rest of the month? He blamed the recent setbacks on new technology introduced to the lottery’s 3,800 retail outlets as part of its sale to a private consortium last year. Griffin added, however, that he did not expect fines or sanctions to be imposed by the National Lottery regulator.
Did you know… Coca-Cola Ireland is introducing a new “one brand” strategy to unify the Coca-Cola portfolio of products – including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero and Coca-Cola Life? Four distinct brands will become one with common identity and advertising, including a greater profile for black, silver and green across Coca-Cola advertising and a doubling of media investment in no sugar and no calories colas.
Did you know… Tesco in Greystones has lodged a planning permission application for an overhaul of its site, according to the Bray People newspaper? The plans include the demolition of the existing buildings, followed by the building of a two-storey replacement facility and car park. This will house a food store and off-licence area, as well as a staff area, office and dental surgery. The plans also include 541 car and bicycle parking spaces and an upgrade for the pedestrian crossing at Kilcoole Road.
Did you know… The latest ISME Quartely Bank Watch Survey has found that bank lending rates to SMEs increased in the first quarter of 2015? The demand for credit has remained high too, showing that SMEs are trying to expand and develop as the economy improves. The survey also noted that processing time remains long, with 27% of decisions pending and the length of the lending process now stretching to eight weeks.
Did you know… Irish online firms are losing out on billions of euro in online revenues due to poor use of digital tactics, according to a study by 256 Media? While e-commerce is rapidly growing in Ireland, 75% of Irish purchases are to non-Irish companies. Research found that Irish sites are less likely than their international competitors to offer loyalty schemes, wishlists and other extra to their customers, driving shoppers elsewhere.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
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