Retail Excellence Ireland (REI), the country’s largest representative body for the retail sector, has called for an urgent resolution to ongoing fuel blockades, warning that the disruption is having a severe impact on trade, supply chains, and employment across Ireland.
The organisation said retail activity has dropped by as much as 50% in certain areas, as continued blockades have significantly reduced consumer mobility and confidence. REI is urging all parties involved to bring an immediate end to the disruptions and to engage in structured, meaningful dialogue with Government without further delay.
Jean McCabe, Chief Executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, said the organisation fully recognises the pressures facing hauliers and farmers, particularly in relation to rising fuel costs and the strain these are placing on livelihoods. She noted that their concerns are legitimate and widely understood. However, she stressed that the methods being used to highlight these issues are now causing serious harm to other sectors of the economy, particularly retail and related services.
According to REI, footfall in major urban centres such as Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick has fallen by approximately half. Retail trade in affected areas is estimated to be down between 30% and 50%, marking one of the sharpest single-day declines many businesses have experienced. Retailers report that consumers are restricting travel to essential journeys only, while discretionary spending in physical stores has declined dramatically.
Ms McCabe warned that the ongoing disruption is placing significant strain on supply chains, particularly in the grocery and fresh food sectors. Businesses are already absorbing higher operating costs, including increased delivery charges, overtime pay, out-of-hours logistics fees, and rerouting expenses. She cautioned that if the blockades continue, these mounting costs may ultimately be passed on to consumers, adding further pressure at a time when household budgets are already under strain.
The organisation also highlighted concerns within the fuel retail sector, noting reports of empty forecourts in several parts of the country. This situation, it said, is being driven by a combination of panic buying and reduced supply resulting from blockages at key logistics points, including ports and refineries. REI warned that these disruptions are creating knock-on effects across multiple industries, with no sector likely to remain unaffected if the situation persists.
Ms McCabe added that businesses are now being forced to consider emergency logistics measures, including rerouting deliveries, prioritising essential goods, and rationing fuel across transport fleets. She described the situation as unsustainable and driven not by fuel price increases alone, but by the wider breakdown in supply chain operations caused by the ongoing blockades.
Finally, REI welcomed recent remarks from Enterprise Minister Peter Burke indicating that Government is considering additional supports for affected businesses. The organisation said it had previously advocated for such measures and urged that any assistance be implemented quickly. It emphasised that businesses and consumers alike require stability and certainty, and that swift action is essential to prevent further economic damage.
