What’s Changing for Traders This Week
Week beginning 27 July 2026
Each Monday, I will be taking a look at recent announcements, rule changes and other developments that may affect our members.
Some weeks there may be a particularly important issue that needs a full blog of its own. For everything else, I hope this weekly update will give you a useful overview of what is happening and anything you may need to check in your own business.
This week, I want to highlight price displays and returns information, some recent food safety enforcement involving mobile and temporary food businesses, new product safety notices and proposed casual trading bye-laws in County Leitrim.
Do You Display Prices on Your Stall?
On 27 July, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, known as the CCPC, published details of 31 enforcement actions involving 18 traders across Ireland and online.
Some of the issues found included failing to display prices, failing to provide unit prices where required and giving customers misleading information about their consumer rights.
This is relevant to market traders because businesses selling goods directly to customers are generally required to make their prices clear before a purchase is made.
That does not necessarily mean putting an individual price sticker on every item. Prices can be displayed on the goods, beside them or on a clearly visible sign or price list, provided customers can easily see which price applies to each product.
Traders selling from stalls or mobile sales units are generally exempt from displaying unit prices, such as the price per kilogram or litre. However, unit pricing may still be required for loose goods sold by weight or measure.
It is also worth checking any signs or wording you use about returns and refunds.
You do not have to offer a refund simply because someone changes their mind about something they bought from you in person, unless that is part of your own returns policy. However, customers still have legal rights when goods are faulty, unsafe, not as described or do not do what they are supposed to do.
Signs such as “no refunds” can therefore be misleading if they appear to take away those rights.
The CCPC can issue a €300 fixed payment notice for certain price-display and consumer-information offences. I have covered this subject in more detail in a separate blog, as I think it is something many traders would benefit from checking. members click here to read https://iomst.ie/do-you-display-prices-on-your-stall/
A Reminder for Mobile and Market Food Traders
Recent Food Safety Authority of Ireland updates include several mobile and temporary food businesses.
A Closure Order was served on a mobile food unit trading as Canteen Street Food in Dublin 15 on 17 July. It was lifted on 21 July.
The latest updates also mention a food stall trading at the Clonmel Show and two food vehicles trading at Balbriggan Market.
I am not including these examples to alarm food traders, but they are a useful reminder that the same food safety responsibilities apply whether you operate from a permanent premises, a vehicle, a market stall or a temporary event pitch.
For food traders, it may be worth taking a few minutes this week to check:
- Cleaning and hygiene procedures
- Handwashing arrangements
- Food storage and temperature control
- Separation of raw and ready-to-eat foods
- Allergen and ingredient information
- Traceability records
- The condition of vehicles, stalls and preparation areas
It is also important to think about whether your usual procedures can be followed properly at every event.
Facilities such as water, electricity, refrigeration and waste disposal can vary considerably between locations, so it is a good idea to confirm what will be available before attending.
For more information go to: Food Safety Authority of Ireland.
Check Any Products You Resell
Several new product recalls and safety notices were published by the CCPC last week.
They included:
- Dunelm Cosy & Warm electric blankets
- A Minnie Mouse-style children’s stroller
- Certain Toshiba and Finlux televisions
- A respirator mask sold through Amazon
This may be particularly relevant to members selling toys, children’s products, electrical goods, protective equipment or second-hand items.
Even where products were originally bought from a wholesaler, retailer or online marketplace, anyone reselling them should keep an eye on current safety notices.
When checking your stock, look closely at the brand, model, product number, batch number and barcode listed in the notice. A similar-looking product may not necessarily be part of the recall.
For more information go to: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission product safety notices.
We Are Watching the Proposed Leitrim Casual Trading Bye-Laws
Leitrim County Council is reviewing its existing Casual Trading Bye-Laws and has prepared Draft Casual Trading Bye-Laws 2026.
The public consultation closed at 5.00pm on 17 July. The council has said that submissions will be considered before the new bye-laws are made.
At the time of writing, I have not found confirmation that the draft bye-laws have been formally adopted.
This means traders should not treat the proposals as confirmed changes just yet.
The final bye-laws could affect designated casual trading locations, licence applications, pitch fees and the conditions that apply to traders in County Leitrim.
I will keep an eye on this and update members when Leitrim County Council confirms the final position.
If you want to review check out: Leitrim County Council.
A Few Things to Check This Week
You may not be affected by every item in this week’s update, but it is worth asking:
- Can customers clearly see your prices before buying?
- Do your refund signs or policies accurately explain customers’ rights?
- If you sell food, can your safety procedures be followed at every location?
- Have any products you sell appeared in a recent safety notice?
- Are there proposed casual trading changes in an area where you trade?
Small checks can make a real difference and may help you avoid problems later.
I will continue reviewing developments that may affect market traders, street traders and other small businesses across Ireland, and I will share anything useful or important with you each week
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.