What’s Changing for Traders This Week – Week 42, 2026
This blog is here to spark ideas and help you think about your business in new ways. What works for one person might not suit another. Take what’s helpful, adapt it to your own style and if you ever need more tailored advice, just get in touch. That’s what we’re here for, supporting you and your business every step of the way.
Budget 2027: What May Matter to Your Small Business
Budget 2027 was announced last week and there are a few measures worth knowing about if you are self-employed, employ staff or are planning to invest in your business.
One of the biggest changes for small employers is the increase in the National Minimum Wage from €14.15 to €14.94 per hour from January 2027.
At the same time, the higher-rate Employer PRSI threshold will increase from €552 to €600 per week.
For those of you who are self-employed, the Earned Income Tax Credit will increase by €125, while the standard-rate income tax cut-off point will increase by €2,500 to €46,500 for a single person.
The Government has also announced an additional €4.5 million for Local Enterprise Offices, including additional investment in energy-efficiency supports for small businesses.
There will also be a €500 million expansion of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, aimed at helping eligible businesses access longer-term finance.
Why this may matter to you
If you employ staff, the minimum wage increase is something to start allowing for in your 2027 costs and pricing.
If you are self-employed, the changes to the tax credit and income-tax band may also affect what you ultimately pay in tax.
The additional Local Enterprise Office funding is also worth keeping an eye on. If you are considering replacing equipment, reducing energy costs or investing in your business, it may be worthwhile checking what supports are available through your own LEO before you spend.
It is important to remember that the additional €4.5 million is funding for the LEO network. It is not a new €4.5 million grant that individual businesses can apply for directly.
We will keep watching for any changes to individual grants or supports that come from this additional funding.
Official Budget 2027 business information:
https://www.neh.gov.ie/the-source/budget-2027-key-changes
Department of Enterprise Budget 2027 announcement:
https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2026/october/20261007.html
Selling Hot Food? Revenue Has Updated Its VAT Guidance
Revenue updated its guidance on 7 October 2026 dealing with the VAT treatment of food and drink supplied by wholesalers and retailers.
The update reflects the VAT changes that came into effect on 1 July 2026, when the second reduced rate of VAT began applying to certain supplies of hot or heated food.
This is not another new VAT change this week. Revenue has updated its guidance to help businesses understand how the rules introduced in July should be applied.
Why this may matter to you
If you are registered for VAT and sell hot food, takeaway food or prepared meals, it is worth checking that you are applying the correct VAT rate.
Food and drink can have different VAT treatments depending on exactly what you are selling and how it is supplied.
Rather than assuming everything you sell from a hot-food stall has the same VAT treatment, it is worth checking the Revenue guidance or speaking to your accountant if you are unsure.
Getting the VAT treatment right also matters when you are working out your selling prices and margins.
Revenue eBrief 143/26:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/ebrief/2026/no-1432026.aspx
Buying Seasonal Stock? Check Product Safety Before You Resell It
With Halloween and Christmas getting closer, many of you will be buying toys, decorations, gifts and novelty products for the busy trading season.
The CCPC issued another product recall on 7 October, this time involving a breathing koala plush toy sold through the SHEIN marketplace.
The product was recalled because excessive levels of lead were found, creating a chemical risk.
The CCPC says there were approximately 64 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.
Why this may matter to you
The individual recall may not affect your business, but the wider message is important if you buy products online to resell at markets or events.
A product being available for sale through a large online marketplace does not automatically mean it meets Irish or EU product-safety requirements.
This is particularly important when you are purchasing:
- toys
- children’s gifts
- electrical products
- novelty products
- Christmas decorations
- low-cost imported stock
Before buying larger quantities for resale, check who manufactured the product, whether the required safety information is present and whether there are any active product-safety notices or recalls.
This is especially worthwhile at this time of year, when many businesses are buying extra seasonal stock and may be trying new suppliers.
CCPC product recall:
https://www.ccpc.ie/consumer-advice/product-safety/product-safety-notifications/psn-details/shein-recalls-koala-breathing-plush-toy-sold-on-shein-marketplace
You can also check current product safety notices through the CCPC website:
Coming Up: Two Useful Opportunities for Traders and Makers
There are also two Local Enterprise Office opportunities coming up next week that are particularly relevant to IOMST members.
Westmeath: Market Trader Accelerator
Local Enterprise Office Westmeath is running a Market Trader Accelerator on Monday, 19 October 2026, from 9.30am to 4.30pm at Tuar Ard Arts Centre in Moate.
The programme has been designed specifically for established market traders and covers areas such as:
- improving your stall presentation
- increasing customer spend
- identifying your most profitable products
- pricing
- preparing for larger events
- managing busy trading periods
Participants also receive an individual follow-up mentoring session.
The cost is €10, and priority is given to businesses based in Westmeath.
Why this may matter to you
This one caught our attention because it is specifically about market trading, rather than being a general small-business course.
If you regularly attend markets and want to improve your stall, sales or profitability before the Christmas season gets fully underway, it could be worth a look.
Find out more through LEO Westmeath:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/westmeath/
Kildare: Free Digital Workshop for Craft Businesses
Local Enterprise Office Kildare is running From Handmade to High-Tech: Digitising Your Craft Business on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at MERITS in Naas.
The workshop is free and is specifically aimed at makers and creative entrepreneurs.
It covers e-commerce, social media, productivity, automation and digital tools. It will also explain how eligible businesses can apply for the €5,000 Grow Digital Voucher.
Why this may matter to you
If you are a maker and want to improve your online sales or spend less time on repetitive admin, this could give you some practical ideas and show you what financial support may be available.
Find out more through LEO Kildare:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/kildare/training-events/online-bookings/focus-on-craft-from-handmade-to-high-tech-digitising-your-craft-business.html
Keep an Eye on Your Costs Before Christmas Trading Gets Busy
This week’s updates all come back to one thing: knowing the real cost and responsibility involved in running your business.
For some of you that may mean allowing for higher wage costs next year. For food businesses, it may mean double-checking VAT treatment. For traders buying seasonal stock, it means making sure the products you are putting on your stall are safe and compliant.
And if there is training or support available that could help you improve your sales, pricing or digital side of the business, it is worth knowing about it before the opportunity has passed.
We’ll continue to keep an eye on Government announcements, Local Enterprise Office supports, council trading opportunities and changes that may be useful to you and your business.
For more Information, Guides Help, Support or Advice. Get in touch with IOMST and become a member today!
Grainne & Greg
Just a little reminder: This blog is here to spark ideas and help you think about your business in new ways. What works for one person might not suit another. Take what’s helpful, adapt it to your own style, and if you ever need more tailored advice, just get in touch. That’s what we’re here for, supporting you and your business every step of the way.