Business owners in Clare are warning we’re only seeing the thin end of the wedge at the moment when it comes to price rises.
They say they’re currently struggling to keep price increases at a moderate level and are warning they’ll have to pass on further rises in the next six to twelve months.
Businesses in the hospitality and retail sectors in Clare say they’re facing into a whole new reality, as the rising cost of living is beginning to take hold.
One local clothing retailer says they order stock 8 to 10 months in advance, so they’re only now feeling the impact of the current crisis.
Patrick Burke, who has stores in Ennis and Kilrush, is warning that shoppers will begin to feel the pinch when the Spring/Summer stock comes in.
He says businesses will have to cut cloth to measure over the coming months to stay afloat.
The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit over the past two years and the Chair of Clare VFI says they needed at least another year to get back on their feet.
Charles O’Meara says people are now coming out less, as the cost of fuel and electricity is eating into their social budget.
This has resulted in many publicans closing 2 to 3 nights a week.
The Ennis publican says a number of their suppliers have already put their prices up and he says there’s more coming down the line.
