Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Tesco, the Co-operative Group and Dixons

Tesco examines introduction of bilingual self-service checkouts in Ireland

Supermarket giant Tesco is considering the introduction of bilingual self-service checkouts in its 146 branches in Ireland.

Updating software with an Irish language capability is being “actively” considered, a company spokesman told the Irish Times. It follows the introduction of a similar programme in Wales six years ago.

Customers at one of the largest Tesco shops in the West of Ireland can already pay for their shopping in Irish following the introduction of Irish language services at the Galway Shopping Centre branch.

Call for Co-op’s top management to refuse retention payments

Troubled mutual Co-operative Group’s top management has been urged to refuse to accept retention payments in a bid to repair ties with its 7 million members.

The call was made by Peter Hunt, who runs the consultancy Mutuo, in a comment piece for The Guardian.

He also called for a more conciliatory approach from Lord Myners, the former City minister appointed as a senior non-executive director of the group with a mandate to produce a blueprint for reform.

Former DSG Retail Ireland’s boss secured pay-off of over €300,000

Former DSG Retail Ireland managing director Declan Ronayne secured €318,000 in a pay-off when he resigned from the role last year, the Irish Independent reported.

Pre-tax losses at Dixon’s retail business in Ireland in the year to April 30, 2013 were €2.64m compared to €2.8m the previous year. Revenues rose by 4% to €152.3m, accounts filed with the Companies Office show.