Budget25: Highlights And Reactions
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Ireland's Industry Magazine For The Grocery Retail And FMCG Sectors.
The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers, yesterday revealed the Budget for 2025, with a focus on infrastructure, family supports, and cost-of-living concerns.
Of note for the retail sector, Chambers announced that the Universal Social Charge (USC) will decrease from 4% to 3%.
From 1 January, the minimum wage will increase by 80c, to €13.50 per hour.
For SMEs in Ireland, Chambers announced support for the sector, moving forward, with plans in place – but not currently implemented – towards a Stamp Duty exemption.
Chambers said, “To further support Irish business to grow and scale, in the coming year, my department will, subject to state aid considerations, introduce a Stamp Duty exemption.
“This measure would enable Irish SMEs to access equity via financial trading platforms designed to support their funding needs.”
Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the largest representative body for the retail industry called the budget a 'wasted opportunity,' while Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) said it was ‘disappointed’ with the increase in excise tax on tobacco products, calling ‘illegal cigarette sellers’ the ‘big winners’ of the Budget.
Unilever Strikes Climate Deal With Ten Retailers To Meet Sustainability Goals
Unilever has agreed sustainability deals with its top ten retail customers aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and minimising waste in its supply chain, the CEO said on Monday.
Unilever – which makes Dove soap, Knorr stock cubes and Ben & Jerrys ice cream – was in the wake of the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change the consumer industry’s poster child for setting tough sustainability targets.
About two years ago, however, the company came under pressure from investors concerned that its climate strategy was distracting it from growing profits.
Chief executive Hein Schumacher in April changed some of the company’s years-old sustainability goals, leading to both praise from some investors and criticism from climate activists.
Schumacher said in an interview at the Reuters IMPACT conference on Monday, “What’s new and what’s coming, and what I expect a lot from in the years to come, is (our) collaboration on sustainability agreements with (retail) customers."
Golden Bake Launches Fresh New Look For Its Frozen Bakery Range
Golden Bake has launched a brand-new look for its frozen bakeables range.
Established in 1987, Golden Bake has evolved into one of Ireland’s largest frozen bakeries, specialising in puff pastry and cookie products from its site in Coolock, Dublin.
It is the home of Ireland’s favourite puff pastry crowns, Jambons?, as well as other iconic products, such as sausage rolls, apple lattices, and soft-centred cookies.
Golden Bake CEO Robin Jones commented, “We designed the new retail packaging with sustainability at the forefront.
“We are delighted to have achieved over a 50% reduction in packaging, without compromising the product, which remains the exact same.”
Spar National Tree Day 2024 Celebrates The Magic Of The Hawthorn Tree
The Tree Council of Ireland, in partnership with Spar, is encouraging primary schools across Ireland to connect with nature and plant a tree on Spar National Tree Day this Thursday, 3 October.
The theme of the campaign is ‘Trees are Magic – Draíocht na gCrann.’
It calls on children, teachers and parents to take the pledge and plant one of the 2,000 Native Irish Hawthorn tree saplings that are available free for primary schools on www.treeday.ie.
Spar National Tree Day encourages students, teachers and families to connect with the magic of nature through educational activities such as tree planting.
This year’s campaign focuses on the native Hawthorn tree, which has roots in folklore with special magical properties, as well as playing a vital role in Ireland’s ecosystem.
A native Irish species, the Hawthorn tree thrives in deciduous woodlands and hedgerows .
It is also famous for its distinctive white flowers and vibrant red berries, which provide essential food for birds and insects.
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