The Department of Business Development reports 7,913 new registrations in August 2026 (up 3.56% year on year) and 60,198 for January-August (up 1.70%). Clothing retail (up 87%), internet retail (up 52%) and restaurants (up 21%) grew fastest. Closures rose 17.38% over eight months to 11,420, and registered capital for new firms fell 6.53%. For your business, expect tougher competition in clothing, online and food retail, and watch your own cash flow given the rise in closures and energy-cost pressure.