Business Plus – Issue 4 2026

Summary

David McRedmond reflects on a decade transforming An Post from a postal service into an e-commerce logistics company, and Business Plus Issue 4 2026 asks whether Irish IPOs have fallen out of favour. The cover story "Delivering Results" (p.8) tracks how McRedmond cut costs by 25 percent while growing parcel revenue sixfold. The global marathon industry is now big business, and Irish designer Emily Cunnane is reinventing the office. The issue also includes the Cork Industry Survey and a Renewable Energy Survey.

The IPO feature (p.18) reports that Irish companies raised only 180 million euros through IPOs in 2025, down 70 percent from 2024. The marathon industry piece (p.21) tracks how the 6 World Marathon Majors now generate 650 million euros in combined annual revenue. The commercial property piece (p.27) profiles Emily Cunnane's workplace designs, which prioritise neurodiverse-friendly layouts.

Regular sections include Editor's Note, Agenda, Executive Chair, Tech, Politics, Frame by Frame, Start Me Up, Out of Office, Motoring, and Top Ten.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Logistics

p.8 · Delivering Results — David McRedmond on the Transformation of An Post
McRedmond cut operating costs by 25 percent over 10 years while growing parcel revenue from 50 million to 300 million euros annually. An Post's partnership with Vinted contributed 40 million euros in parcel revenue in 2025. The company now processes 2 million parcels per week. Logistics directors can use the 25 percent cost reduction and 6x parcel revenue growth as transformation benchmarks.

▸ Finance / Capital Markets

p.18 · Where Have All the IPOs Gone?
Irish IPOs raised only 180 million euros in 2025 vs 600 million euros in 2024. The article cites 3 factors: high interest rates depressing valuations, founder reluctance to face quarterly reporting, and the rise of private capital. Only 2 companies listed on Euronext Dublin in 2025. Investment bankers can use the 180-million-euro figure to benchmark the Irish IPO market's recovery timeline.

▸ Sports / Business

p.21 · Going the Extra Mile — The Global Marathon Industry
The 6 World Marathon Majors (New York, Chicago, Boston, London, Berlin, Tokyo) generated 650 million euros in combined revenue in 2025, up 18 percent year-on-year. The article profiles the sponsorship, broadcast rights, and tourism economics behind each race. Sports marketers can use the 18 percent growth rate in their sponsorship valuation models.

▸ Food / Entrepreneurship

p.24 · Thirsty Work — The Brewer Behind the Irish Craft Soda Company
The founder of Irish Craft Soda Company grew revenue from 250,000 to 2.5 million euros in 3 years by targeting the "better-for-you" soft drink segment. The company's ginger ale and rhubarb soda are now stocked in 800 retail outlets across Ireland and the UK. FMCG entrepreneurs can use the 10x revenue growth trajectory as a case study in niche beverage positioning.

▸ Commercial Property / Design

p.27 · A Room of One's Own — Emily Cunnane on Reinventing the Office
Cunnane's design firm specialises in neurodiverse-friendly workplaces, incorporating quiet zones, adjustable lighting (2,500-5,000 Kelvin range), and acoustic zoning. She reports that 15 Irish companies have adopted her neurodiverse design framework since 2024. Facilities managers can use the 2,500-5,000K lighting specification in their office refurbishment RFPs.

▸ Industry / Surveys

p.47 · Cork Industry Survey
The annual survey of 200 Cork-based manufacturers reports that 68 percent expect revenue growth in 2026, but 55 percent cite labour shortages as their top constraint. The average wage increase across the sample was 4.2 percent. Regional economic development agencies can use the 55 percent labour shortage figure to design targeted workforce programmes.

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Editor's Take

Business Plus Issue 4 2026 is one of the year's best editions — the An Post transformation story is a genuine business case study with hard metrics (25 percent cost reduction, 300-million-euro parcel revenue, 2 million parcels per week). The IPO drought analysis is timely and well-sourced. The marathon industry feature is a smart addition that connects sports to serious money (650 million euros across 6 races). The weakest section is the Motoring page, which is out of step with the issue's focus on transformation and growth. The Cork Industry Survey adds regional value but is too brief to be definitive.

Strengths
• An Post cover story with specific financial transformation metrics
• IPO analysis with precise market data (180 million euros, 70 percent drop)
• Marathon industry feature with 650-million-euro revenue data

Weaknesses
• Motoring page disrupts the thematic flow
• Cork survey useful but too brief

Verdict: Essential — The An Post case study and IPO analysis make this the strongest Business Plus issue of 2026; sports business readers will also value the marathon piece.