Breakfast briefing: Irish supermarkets, Tesco and more

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Retail news round-up: Irish supermarket battle keeps grocery inflation low, Tesco Ireland stores to stay open despite strike, and Bosideng to leave UK

Irish grocery inflation stays low amid supermarket battle

Ireland's grocery inflation may remain low this year, research from Kantar Worldpanel suggests, The Irish Independent reported.

A battle between the grocery chains is delivering savings to consumers.

According to the figures for the 12 weeks to January 29, Dunnes had a 22.7% market share, followed by SuperValu and Tesco at 22.5% and 22.4% respectively.

The figures also show that Aldi and Lidl had 10.6% and 10.3% respectively of the Irish market in the latest period.

Tesco Ireland stores to remain open despite strike

Tesco Ireland has vowed to keep all stores open today despite members of trade union Mandate calling for a strike, The Irish Independent reported.

The company has told members who are on strike that workers from other shops will be brought in to open the picketed outlets.

The union has asked customers to shop in other stores.

A statement said: "The company has followed all the industrial relations processes of the State to seek agreement."

Bosideng withdraws from the UK

Bosideng has decided to leave the UK market owing to Brexit uncertainty, Drapers reported.

It closed its first overseas flagship store at 28 South Molton Street in London last month.

The Chinese retailer's UK website has closed, with a note asking customers to visit in-store.

Bosideng’s spokesperson said: “After a few years of operation, the flagship store has provided us tremendous overseas retail operation experiences, and enhanced our brand name among overseas retail markets and the financial community.

“Yet, given the uncertainty of the UK market after Brexit, and considering the investment return, our company decided to rent out the property instead.

“We will return to the UK retail market when we see fit.”