Gill Stedman

1 week ago | rte.ie | Gill Stedman

Jeff Bezos originally wanted to call his online bookstore 'Cadabra' - with his products arriving like magic. Abracadabra!But after being advised it sounded too like 'cadaver' over the phone, Bezos opted for the name Amazon, after leafing through the A section of the dictionary. What has been like magic is the transformation of Amazon into a global superpower in the retail world.

1 week ago | rte.ie | Gill Stedman

Coillte has said Storm Éowyn in January caused "unprecedented" levels of damage to its estate at an estimated cost of over €60m. Of the over 26,000 hectares of Ireland's forests with windblow damage, 14,500 hectares are managed by Coillte. Announcing its financial results for 2024, Coiltte said it experienced highly challenging market conditions, impacted by inflationary pressures and lower end-market demand resulting in lower prices.

1 week ago | rte.ie | Gill Stedman

Retail Excellence Ireland has called on the Government to indefinitely pause any increases in the minimum wage. The body has warned that retail businesses are facing an "intensely difficult" commercial environment. The statutory minimum wage increased by 38% from January 2020 to January 2025, from €9.80 to €13.50. Retail Excellence Ireland also called on the Government to reintroduce and expand the Increased Cost of Business scheme, which closed in May last year.

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Gill Stedman

Dublin and Cork airport operator daa recorded increased profits and revenue last year, as passenger numbers continued to grow. Revenue jumped 9% when compared to 2023 to €1.1 billion, while profits after tax before exceptions increased by 35% to €236 million. According to daa's financial results, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased by 20% to €395 million.

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Gill Stedman

Business investment in Ireland is being weighed down by the uncertainty caused by US President Donald Trump's tariffs, according to the Governor of the Central Bank. Speaking at a Dublin Chamber event this evening, Gabriel Makhlouf said the rapidly changing policy environment is having an impact even without any specific details of President Trump's plans for the future of tariffs.