Eason has appointed Liam Hanly as its new Managing Director. This follows the decision of Conor Whelan to step down as Managing Director at the end of June 2017 to pursue other interests. Hanly joined Eason in 2010 and is its current Group Finance, IT and Logistics director. He previously held senior management positions in McCabes Pharmacy, Xtravision and Irish Merchants/Bunzl.
The ban on alcohol sales on Good Friday is to be lifted. Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has signaled she will not oppose a bill abolishing the restriction. Government permission to supply alcohol on Good Friday is likely to come into effect on 2018.
Agri-services business Donegal Investment Group is scrapping its shareholder dividends. The group plans to do so ‘for the foreseeable future’ due to exchange rate challenges, but is seeking to return capital to investors via a share buy back programme.
An article on Fora.ie has analysed RGDATA’s behaviour toward discount retailers at the planning permission level. The report states that the association ‘has tried to block’ construction of 22 Aldi or Lidl stores in the past decade.
Scottish craft brewery Brewdog has become the first £1 billion craft beer company in these islands. Turnover for the brewery increased by 60% last year. Investors who backed the company in its first fundraising round have seen the value of their stakes grow by 2,800%.
Tesco has recalled a popular rattle toy from its stores. The toy contained small parts that could be broken loose of the rattle, representing a choking hazard. Smiths, Toys R Us and other major retailers have followed suit with the recall.
