UK retail chiefs have joined forces with their Irish counterparts to warn of the “catastrophic” impact on prices of a no-deal Brexit.
The leading retail bodies in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK said increased tariffs and new regulatory checks would lead to increases in the cost of making fresh food and drink available to consumers.
The groups also raised concerns over the cost of checks and delays.
“A no-deal Brexit brings tariffs, customs processes, checks and costs which our industry, and Northern Ireland families in particular, cannot afford to absorb,” said Northern Ireland Retail Consortium director Aodhán Connolly.
“Our households already have half of the discretionary income of British households and less than those in the Republic of Ireland. A no-deal Brexit will hit us first and hit us hardest. This is not acceptable.
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“A hard Brexit means a hard border and the disintegration of supply chains that have been built up over 40 years of EU membership. This is not a binary choice for Northern Ireland between trade with the UK and trade with the EU. Our economy is built on access to both markets and we need that to survive. No deal makes NI a less competitive place to do business and a more expensive place to live.”
Retail Ireland director Thomas Burke said: “A ‘no-deal’ Brexit would have devastating economic consequences and must be avoided. However, regardless of the type of Brexit agreed over the coming weeks, retailers will see an increase in their operating costs arising from checks at ports and other supply chain disruption. In the current operating environment, these additional costs simply cannot be absorbed and will have to be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.”
William Bain, head of EU and international at the BRC, added: “A ‘no-deal’ outcome would have devastating economic consequences, potentially jeopardising years of positive economic development and integration across the islands of the UK and Ireland. It is imperative that this is avoided.”
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