The Irish government needs to prioritise the survival of Ireland’s small and medium-sized enterprises and independent retailers in order to maintain the financial health of the country’s towns and cities, according to Jean McCabe, who is CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland and an advisory board member for the upcoming NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe in trade show.

Retail Excellence Ireland represents the Irish retail industry and McCabe is one of 26 global retail experts helping formulate content for NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe.

She says many retailers face an increasing burden of costs, including higher labour expenses, soaring energy prices and higher fuel costs, all of which disproportionately impact small businesses.

Advisory board Member Jean McCabe

“Ireland has so many small and medium-sized retailers and they really are the heart of our towns and cities, so it’s important that we protect them for the health of those towns,” McCabe said. “In terms of any new retail developments, we also need to be mindful of the impact of potential new shopping schemes on local towns, as there is a balance to be struck.” Ireland has been highly successful at attracting foreign investment in the technology sector, including digital technology, high-end manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, with most of the major U.S. players present in the country. Many have their European headquarters in Dublin.

McCabe said foreign investment has helped consumer spending but that there is a bifurcation of domestic spending power between affluent and less-affluent consumers. “There are parts of society that are not seeing the benefits of that economy,” she said. “As a result, consumer confidence is not as high as it could be and that is impacting spending.”

However, she also pointed to the power of Ireland as a brand. Irish retailers benefit from tourists who travel from around the world, especially the U.S. and North America, and must capitalise on this global reach. The country’s largest shopping centres and Dublin’s Grafton Street are seeing more global retailers opening flagship stores.

In terms of international retail, Ireland has typically been seen as a small market but more recently we have seen more overseas retailers opening here, in major cities but also domestic retailers doubling down on Irish provenance and supporting food and goods made in Ireland,” she said. “We’re seeing some really premium offers from some Irish grocery groups, who are working alongside local food producers.”

For cities and town centres, retailers increasingly need to capitalise on convenience shopping during the week and also the “weekend experience shopping” when people have more time and may be with their families, she said.
McCabe has headed Retail Excellence Ireland for nearly three years and is a retailer herself, having owned the boutique fashion brand Willow, based in Clare on Ireland’s west coast, for more than 20 years. She will be attending NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe in Paris September 15-17.
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