A new chapter in Ireland’s retail community began with the first official meeting of the Global Retail Merchants Association

Dublin, November 8, 2025 —

A new chapter in Ireland’s retail community began with the first official meeting of the Global Retail Merchants Association, Ireland (GRMAI), held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.

The association brings together retail shop owners from various sectors, aiming to strengthen cooperation and develop a more efficient and customer-focused retail environment across the country.

One of the important reasons behind forming the association is to address the growing issue of individuals and groups approaching shop owners for money collections for various events and programmes. GRMAI aims to introduce a structured and transparent process for handling such requests, reducing pressure on individual businesses and ensuring accountability.

GRMAI emphasises a forward-looking approach centred on:

• reducing the cost of essential goods and services,

• promoting fair and competitive pricing,

• enhancing transparency, and

• ensuring better value for customers through improved supply coordination.

“Our vision is to make essential daily purchases more affordable and accessible for all households in Ireland,” said a representative of GRMAI.

“By working together, we aim to modernise the retail system in ways that benefit both businesses and customers.”

A large number of retail shop owners attended, engaging in discussions on industry challenges, operational issues, concerns over unregulated money-collection requests, and plans for coordinated improvement.

The association will conduct regular meetings, collaborate with suppliers and policymakers, and implement strategies to support a sustainable, transparent and consumer-friendly retail sector in Ireland, and retailers or community groups seeking more information may contact the association at grmaireland@gmail.com