Archive for June 2022
Lidl launches new EV and HVO vehicles into Irish fleet
Lidl has today started the rollout of its first electrical truck and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) heavy goods vehicle (HGV) into its logistics fleet. The pilot scheme will see the sustainably powered vehicles join Lidl’s logistic fleet at its Newbridge Regional Distribution Centre. It marks the start of the retailer’s transition from fossil fuel commercial…
Read MoreKingspan seeing ‘significant’ dip in May and June orders
Building insulation specialist Kingspan said today it had seen the mood in most end markets deteriorate over the last two months with order intake volume down significantly year-on-year in May and June. But orders were still up this month and last on the same pre-pandemic time in 2019. The Co Cavan-based firm said today that…
Read MorePrimark to trial click & collect service in UK
Budget fashion chain Primark will trial a Click & Collect service on children’s products in the UK but said the move should not be seen as a precursor to an online delivery offer. Parent Associated British Foods said today the Click & Collect trial will take place in up to 25 stores in the northwest…
Read MoreNew €85m digital transition fund for businesses
The Government has announced a new €85 million digital transition fund that will provide grant aid for businesses. The funding is designed to help companies develop new digital products, processes and services and will allow them invest in software, new equipment, staff training, automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). €85 million in funding will be made…
Read MoreHCS invests €3.2m to double its workforce and revenues
IT, security and telecoms company HCS is investing €3.2m to double the size of its workforce and business revenues within the next three years. HCS has started its recruitment programme and will grow its workforce to 60 over the next three years. Following the investment, HCS is forecasting increased annual revenues of €9m by 2025.…
Read MoreWhy experts see storm clouds over the economy
The beginning of the pandemic in 2020 brought with it an end to years of bullish economic growth. As Ireland headed into the general election, the economy was in rude health. Predictions were bright. Nobody predicted two years of Covid turbulence, followed swiftly by war in our neighbourhood. But, though Covid restrictions have eased, the…
Read MoreTesco sees early signs of changing customer behaviour as inflation hits
Tesco said today it was seeing early indications of changing customer behaviour due to surging inflationary pressures that had made the market environment “incredibly challenging”. Chief executive Ken Murphy vowed to work with suppliers to mitigate the impact of inflation as much as possible and support customers who are facing the most difficult economic conditions…
Read MoreGovernment funding of €55m to help businesses move away from fossil fuels
The Government is to make €55m available to businesses to help them move away from the use of fossil fuels. The new Green Transition Fund, to be launched later, will be made up of two parts. The Climate Planning Fund for Business, worth €25m, will provide firms with funding to help them plan how they…
Read MoreISIF to invest €500m in five regional cities
The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, known as ISIF, has announced plans to step up its regional investments. The fund, which is part of the National Treasury Management Agency, has a mandate to invest on a commercial basis to support economic activity and jobs. A new €500m investment programme will target the five regional cities of…
Read MoreIncreased risk of more ‘medium-term’ inflation, Central Bank warns
The Central Bank has warned that broad based price pressures have increased the risk of more medium-term inflation. The regulator also said that these inflationary pressures present new challenges for borrowers. However, the bank said these pressures are coming at a time when many borrowers have built up higher resilience over the past decade. The…
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