View this email in your browser Business Today Monday, 29 June, 2026 Editor's Note Good morning, reader Ireland’s corporate insolvency rate may be “remarkably steady” at the moment, but some sectors are faring better than others, according to PwC. The Big Four accountancy firm’s latest insolvency report indicates that the volume of company failures in the retail sector increased by 35 per cent in the first half of 2026, amid headwinds on the consumer price inflation front. As Ireland takes over the EU presidency this week, workers in the cleaning and security sectors are set to protest in support of workers’ rights being included as a factor in the awarding of public contracts. The demonstration, which will be led by Siptu, relates to new EU rules around tendering processes, due to be published later in the year. Emmet Malone reports. The heatwave might be in the rear-view mirror. If it proved anything, however, it’s that most of us are simply not set up to deal with anything outside the norm of an Irish summer. From mini fans to barbecue accessories, Ciara O’Brien looks at some tech gadgets that might make the next spell of hot weather more bearable. Continue Reading Ian Curran   TOP BUSINESS STORIES Business Retail insolvencies climb 35% as consumer spending comes under pressure Work Workers’ rights must be factored in when awarding public procurement contracts, say unions Work ‘The US still has a frontier mindset that you can go and make something of yourself’ Work ‘I need to keep working’: The people aiming to stay employed until at least 66 Business New battery rules set to boost green electricity use John McCartney Ireland's office market is facing generational change not a cyclical dip MORE BUSINESS STORIES Business Property developer Dean McKillen adds upmarket grocery store to Los Angeles interests Business Cost and tax treatment helping deter people from investing their savings, survey finds Business European shares retreat from record highs Business Aer Lingus manager denies disciplinary investigation was a ‘whitewash’ Do you have questions about becoming an Irish Times subscriber, or about your subscription? You'll find handy guides in our FAQs, and you can manage many aspects of your subscription in the My Account section. Never miss a business story Subscribe now for just €1 for your first month SUBSCRIBE