Businesses have expressed their disappointment and 'dismay' as Ireland prepares to enter Level 5 of the Government's Living with Covid-19 plan, with Retail Excellence warning that 60,000 retail jobs could be at risk.
The restrictions, which come into place at midnight on Wednesday, will see only essential retail and services remain open.
Retail Excellence, the largest retail body in Ireland, representing over 2,000 retail businesses, has expressed its "deep disappointment" with the Government’s decision to close all non-essential retail.
No other European country has locked down retail in the way this government has done with retailers in Ireland.
Duncan Graham, managing director of Retail Excellence said: "Retailers have been contacting us throughout the day extremely concerned and upset at closing their business for 6 weeks at the most important trading period of the year. ‘Non-essential’ retailers generate over 70% of annual turnover over this quarter and these further restrictions will inevitably push many more businesses into insolvency."
The group warned that 60,000 retail employees' jobs could be at risk in addition to 30,000 who have already been laid off.
They also expressed concerns that more customers will turn to online shopping, with 70 per cent of this trade going to retailers outside the country.
Retail Excellence said: "No other European country has locked down retail in the way this government has done with retailers in Ireland."
The group has appealed to the Government asking for them to implement the following measures:
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- A ‘crystal’ clear roadmap to reopening
- That ecommerce, online retailing is totally unrestricted
- The TWSS is reintroduced with immediate effect
- Further supports are made available to retailers to help with legacy debts such as rent payments
DublinTown, the organisation that represents 2,500 businesses in Dublin City Centre, expressed the "unanimous dismay" of its members at the Government decision to go to Level 5 for a period of six weeks on the run up to Christmas.
The group said: "Many members were already finding it difficult to keep their doors open but their fate may now be sealed by denying them the opportunity to trade at a time when they would generally do one-third of their annual sales. This certainly will mean job losses.
"DublinTown expects a significant level of business closures to ensue. As the number of empty shops rise, viable neighbouring businesses become vulnerable as the city loses its appeal. We know from the O’ Connell Street experience that it may take decades to recover from this and the demise of districts within the city may prove permanent."
