News

British supermarket group Asda has reported a near double-digit fall in first quarter sales, which it said reflected comparison with exceptionally strong trading in the same quarter last year when the UK was in a Covid-19 lockdown. Asda said first quarter to March 31 like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, fell 9.2% year-on-year, having fallen 2.9% in…

Dell Technologies has beaten Wall Street estimates for quarterly profit and revenue, as enterprises invested heavily in the company’s desktops and laptops to support hybrid work. Dell’s shares rose about 7% in extended trading as the PC maker forecast current-quarter revenue and profit above analysts’ expectations. The company has seen strong demand for its products…

New research has found that 62% of people feel they will have to cut back on food spending over the coming year in response to sharp price rises, while 53% of people worry they will be unable to pay higher energy bills. The findings are part of the latest in the Permanent TSB research series…

Marketing data software company, Supermetrics, is to create 100 new jobs in Dublin. The roles will be filled over the next two years. The Helsinki based firm is also opening a new office in the capital. Supermetrics said the expansion of its Dublin operations showed its commitment to the region and also strengthens its international…

E-commerce platform eDesk is to create 150 jobs over the next 18 months. The new positions will be at the company’s Dublin HQ, Derry, Skibbereen, and the east coast of the US, where 20 of the new roles will be based. It will bring the total headcount to 250 and eDesk says the growth will…

Irish consumers plan to spend more on holidays this year despite concerns about the rising cost of living, according to the latest KBC Bank Ireland consumer sentiment index. The survey for May asked a special question on holiday spending plans, and the answer hinted at a resilience in people’s personal finances. Austin Hughes, Chief Economist…

The Financial Services Union, which represents bank workers, has said its members are at breaking point dealing with the increased workload caused by the exits of Ulster Bank and KBC. The union has commissioned a survey of its members, which shows that 88% of respondents feel stressed at work either on a regular or very…

307 jobs are under threat at online payment firm PayPal’s offices in Dublin and Dundalk in Co Louth. The company is opening a consultation with impacted staff who have been notified about the situation. The roles that are being targeted for compulsory redundancy are across a range of functions. 135 of the positions are based…

An organisation which supports and promotes tourism in Ireland has said rising car rental prices are undermining Ireland’s reputation as a good value for money destination. Fáilte Ireland added that those who cannot secure a car booking may decide not to come to Ireland. It said this represents a major loss for the wider tourism…

Convenience food group Greencore has reported a return to profitability and higher revenues for the first half of its fiscal year. Greencore said its profit before taxation increased from a loss of £1.8m the same time last year to a profit of £1m this year, on the back of higher group operating profit and lower…