NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We understand the difficulties faced by the Kennedy family, who have served their community well for many years and realise that it is a commercial decision made by them. It is nevertheless disappointing that one of our largest independent local retailers in Northern Ireland is being sold to one of the big multiples.
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He added: "Multiple Retailers in the rest of the UK have long adopted the practise of buying successful competitors out of the market place. We are concerned that more and more of our independent retail sector will be lost in this way, removing local choice and diversity to consumers.
"A key challenge for the NI Executive is to do much more to support local retailers and ensure that these local businesses can continue to contribute to the local economy and provide the vital service and investment to our community."
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association represents local and independent traders in the food retailing sector across the province and represents the interests of 874 independent retailers including Spar, VG, Vivo, Mace, Nearbuy, XL Stop n Shop, Costcutter, Supervalu and Centra.
(DW/JM)
