-
Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
-
Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
-
Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
-
Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
-
People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
-
Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
-
Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
-
Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
-
Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
-
Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
-
Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
-
Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
-
Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
-
VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
Has COVID-19 forever changed our spending behaviour?
25 Aug 2020As we make the tentative steps into the next stage of economic recovery and reopen more parts of our economy, the high street is slowly beginning to bustle again with activity, as shops, pubs and restaurants welcome customers’ return. While this is cause for optimism, businesses are operating under a very different set of circumstances, with limited capacity and additional protective hygiene measureAs the restrictions eased, I, like many others, used this opportunity to venture out to Belfast city centre for the first time in three months and the change in behaviour was very noticeable. It made me wonder about the implications of these changes in behaviour in the longer-term.
At the macro level, ensuring there is a steady flow of custom is the primary challenge. An Ipsos MORI survey found that 40% of people felt uncomfortable shopping in stores other than supermarkets; and 60% felt uncomfortable going to pubs or restaurants, highlighting a potential significant shift in our behaviours. The level of discomfort noted around attending shops in consumer sentiment surveys is mirrored in an increase in online spending. Over the past few months’ consumers have shown a greater preference to shop online in comparison to this time last year. Data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that as much as 33% of all retail sales that occurred in May 2020 were made online; compared to only 19% in May 2019. This might be purely a temporary ‘lockdown effect’ but it is more likely to be a stickier trend.
Another consequence of Covid-19 and the associated hygiene initiatives has been an increase in card use over cash. In total, the number of card transactions, according to UK Finance, were almost 5% higher in March 2020 compared to March 2019. For high street businesses, this move away from cash towards cards brings additional costs, via transaction fees. With an increasing choice of card transaction processors available, it could be timely for businesses to shop for the best deal.
The Chancellor’s recent statement gave us an insight into how the UK Government is aiming to bring us back to the high street, with a VAT cut and the ‘eat out to help out’ scheme introduced to encourage people to reengage with the high-street and help those sectors that have been hardest hit by the lockdown. There has been much written about creating a different economy post Covid-19. For now, it seems like the immediate priority is to rekindle what we had before, with consumers at the forefront. For that, a belief that it’s safe and everything has returned to ‘normal’ will be the key driving force.
