Our cover takes us inside new-look concept store, Centra The Barbican Newcastle, as it embarks on the next chapter in a significant retail history. Store Manager Liam Houston tells NR about the importance of creating a modern store for today’s shoppers.

Inside this issue, we focus on the sectors committed to providing the best quality food all-year round while also setting out to create something unique within their industry.

Thomas Roffey, owner of Gullion Bakery outlines the importance of stepping outside the box while establishing his new business; while Richhill butcher Errol Lenaghan speaks out on the need for a strong voice for the ‘ordinary butcher’ here. Both offer intriguing insights into their respective sectors.

It’s that time of year where we look at the uniqueness of Northern Ireland’s top Symbol Groups in our annual mid-year review, and we reflect on the highs and lows of the fuel industry here in our mid-year fuel review.

Elsewhere, Belfast business owner Chris O’Reilly asks what is to be done to help independent retailers in Northern Ireland as they continue to face mounting pressures.

As well as all the latest news and exciting NPD, don’t forget to check out our exclusive feature focusing on the work carried out by dedicated store managers across Northern Ireland.

YOU CAN READ ALL THIS AND MUCH MORE IN THE JUNE-JULY ISSUE HERE!

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Overall shoppers were not put off for long by the protests in June, with retailers and shoppers described as resilient and quickly returned to business as usual.

The latest figures from NIRC-Sensormatic show that Northern Ireland footfall decreased by 0.9% in June (year-on-year), up from 1.0% in May, while shopping centre footfall increased by 0.4% last month, up from -0.2% in May.

Meanwhile, footfall in Belfast decreased by 1.9% (year-on-year), down from 0.1% in May. The figures cover the four weeks from 31^st May to 5^th July.

Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Neil Johnston said there was a sense of frustration within the retail industry here.

“It is shocking that Belfast was momentarily badly disrupted by a handful of people engaging in violence and thuggery. Thankfully, the impact on footfall was merely postponed and not dramatic,” said Neil Johnston.

“Total retail footfall was down 3.4% across the UK but in Northern Ireland, however, was only down by 0.9%. Belfast was down 1.9%. Without the protests, the figures would have recorded increases. We can only hope that the negative publicity that surrounds the violent protests is quickly put behind us. Sadly, the damage caused by the actual violence and intimidation – some of it directed towards retail staff – will take longer to overcome.

“The retail industry is deeply frustrated that a tiny handful of protesters, though their violent actions, can so easily disrupt the work of our staff and the desire of the overwhelming majority simply to get on with their lives. These figures are in ways a repudiation of those who seek disruption and discord. Shoppers voted with their feet and did not allow themselves to change their plans and routines.”

Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic added: “June saw a relatively steady performance for Northern Ireland, with footfall down 0.9% year-on-year, bringing the year-to-date figure to -1.6% at the halfway point. While still in negative territory, this represents a more resilient result than seen across much of the UK, suggesting demand has held up comparatively well.

“As elsewhere, warmer weather is likely to have influenced shopper behaviour, with Northern Ireland recording its joint hottest June on record. However, conditions were less extreme than in other parts of the UK, potentially limiting the level of disruption to retail activity. More localised factors also played a role, with unrest in parts of Northern Ireland – particularly in Belfast – likely to have impacted footfall during key periods of the month.

“Despite these challenges, underlying consumer behaviour remains consistent with wider trends. Confidence is improving slightly but remains subdued, with shoppers continuing to make fewer, more considered trips. As we move into the second half of the year, retailers will be focused on building on this relative resilience by converting deliberate visits into meaningful spend.”

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And while Northern Ireland’s unique dual-market access under the Windsor Framework may provide some resilience and opportunities arising from shifts in global trade patterns, these benefits are unlikely to outweigh the wider economic costs of increased trade barriers.

Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald described the new tariffs as an “unwelcome development for the global economy” adding they created “uncertainty for businesses, investors and consumers across international markets”.

Two new independent research papers have been published which examine the impact of recent changes in US trade policy on Northern Ireland.

The first paper, conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) alongside the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) assessed the potential macroeconomic impact of US tariffs on the economy. The second Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) paper examined how tariff changes could affect Northern Ireland’s trade patterns across key sectors and trading partners.

The macroeconomic research assessed the likely effects of a range of tariff scenarios on GDP, trade, employment, consumption, wages and inflation between 2025 and 2030.

Among the key findings, the research concludes that:

• GDP remains below baseline levels across all tariff scenarios;
• imports and exports fall as trade costs increase and external demand weakens;
• household consumption declines as economic activity and real incomes come under pressure;
• employment falls modestly over the period examined; and
• inflation increases in the short term before easing as demand weakens.

The trade research found that the US tariffs introduced since 2025 are expected to have a significant long-term impact on trade between Northern Ireland and the United States. The largest estimated reductions in exports are in chemicals and transport equipment manufacturing other than motor vehicles, while manufacturing of electrical machinery is expected to see the largest decline in imports.

The research also suggests that trade with Britain, Ireland and other EU countries could increase slightly as trading patterns adjust.

“This research confirms that increased trade barriers are likely to have negative consequences for economic growth, trade and employment, both here and internationally,” said the Economy Minister.

“As a small, open economy with strong trading links to both Britain and the European Union, the north is particularly sensitive to changes in the global trading environment.

“The report also highlights the strategic value of our dual-market access arrangements, which provide important advantages and may create opportunities as global trade patterns evolve.

“My priority remains supporting businesses, strengthening exports, attracting investment and ensuring our economy is well placed to navigate external economic challenges. These findings provide valuable evidence on the local implications of changing global trade conditions and will help inform our response to them.”

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The first UK Powerball ticket was sold at Sewell On The Go in Pocklington, York at just after 5am.

Available in retailers nationwide, a £4 Powerball line gives UK players the chance to win a staggering estimated £300 million in Thursday’s (23^rd July) draw – the biggest jackpot ever offered to UK players so far!

The game is behind some of the world’s most extraordinary lottery wins, including the record-breaking jackpot worth more than $2.04 billion won in 2022. With uncapped jackpots starting at £10 million and capable of growing into the hundreds of millions, and even beyond £1 billion, Powerball offers prize potential unlike anything previously available through The National Lottery.

Retailers can expect increased engagement and sales driven by Powerball’s fast-growing jackpots, supported by the multimillion-pound advertising campaign to boost footfall and attract new players. With 20p commission per £4 line sold, alongside additional earning and footfall opportunities from in-store prize payouts, the game offers clear commercial benefits.

Players have until 11.55pm on Wednesday 22^nd July to secure their chance to be part of Powerball history, ahead of the first draw at around 4am (UK time) on Thursday 23^rd July. Following the launch, draws will take place three times a week from the Powerball studio in Florida.

New research among 2,000 UK adults found that 85% believe a Powerball-sized jackpot would give them the freedom to do things that would otherwise be impossible.

The findings reveal that, when people start imagining Powerball-sized wealth, they think beyond luxury purchases and begin planning life-changing projects, unforgettable experiences and ways to make a lasting impact.

For the first UK draw, tickets are available to buy in-store until 11.55pm on Wednesday 22^nd July.

Thereafter, tickets are available online and in-store until 11.55pm the night before each draw. Draws take place around 4am UK time on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from the Powerball studio in Florida.

More information on Powerball can be found at www.national-lottery.co.uk/powerball

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This is complemented by dedicated store visits already taking place to make Playstation upgrades and guide retailers through the upcoming changes.

Each box includes the brand-new play slips for Powerball, refreshed guidance materials and in-store point-of-sale (POS) assets. Player-facing ‘How To Play’ leaflets are also included, ensuring players have clear, accessible information when buying tickets and claiming prizes.

UK Powerball players will pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, or they can choose a Lucky Dip. Tickets will be available to buy online or in store until 11:55pm the night before the draws (on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays), with draws then taking place at around 4am the following morning – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays – at the Powerball studio in Florida.

If the Powerball jackpot – which is currently estimated at $526m* – continues to roll until the UK launch, UK players will be in with a chance to scoop serious ‘Powerball Money’ in the opening draw on 23 July.

Closer to home, the game is expected to raise around £1bn for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with all Good Causes funding generated from UK ticket sales going directly to UK beneficiaries and projects.

Retailers can expect increased engagement and sales driven by Powerball’s fast-growing jackpots, supported by the multimillion-pound advertising campaign to boost footfall and attract new players. With 20p commission per £4 line sold, alongside additional earning and footfall opportunities from in-store prize payouts, the game offers clear commercial benefits.

To maximise the opportunity, retailers should:

• Keep the Powerball jackpot visible and play slips readily available;
• Offer National Lottery Fast Pay cards to encourage repeat play; and
• Generate in-store excitement by recommending the brand-new Powerball game to existing customers – perhaps asking them what they would do with the ‘Powerball Money’ on offer.

Retailers should also be aware of the key differences in terminal operations compared with other National Lottery draw-based games. Because draws take place in the US at around 4am UK time, tickets cannot be purchased on the same day as the draw. Instead, terminals will display selectable ‘Week Days’ of Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, which correspond to draws taking place in the early hours of Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday respectively.

Powerball tickets will feature several new elements, giving them a slightly different appearance to other draw-based game tickets. These include:

• A new ‘Retailer Key’ (RK) number displayed alongside the existing 28-digit number;
• An additional date and time stamp; and
• New 2D barcodes that can be scanned via the terminal as usual.

Additionally, unlike other draw-based games, Powerball tickets cannot be cancelled from a draw once issued. However, players can only request a refund under the same limited circumstances that apply for all ticket cancellations today – such as when tickets issued in error, are illegible or incomplete, or where duplicate Lucky Dip lines have been printed. Refunds must be processed within two hours of purchase and before draw sales close or the store closes, using the standard cancellation process. Refunded tickets cannot be validated for prizes, and all returned tickets and slips must be retained for 30 days for reconciliation and security purposes.

*  The estimated US Powerball jackpot and the UK jackpot are not directly comparable. The US jackpot is advertised in US dollars and before taxes, while the UK jackpot is advertised as a post-tax value. The UK jackpot is paid as an annuity over 30 years, with the advertised amount calculated using the highest applicable UK tax rate.

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