Retail industry welcomes move to keep sector open under new Covid plans

Retail Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the retail sector, today welcomed the decision by Government to keep all of retail open and trading under new Covid restrictions. The group said the health and safety of customers and staff would remain the top priority. 

Retail Ireland Director Arnold Dillon said: “Avoiding further retail restrictions is key to the viability of many businesses in the sector. Customers are shopping very differently to how they used to, they are spending shorter periods in shops and browsing less. These trends, combined with the extensive public health measures already in place, has meant that only a tiny fraction of Covid cases have been linked to retail settings. This provides a solid basis for keeping all of retail open and trading over the coming weeks and months. The rapid roll-out of the vaccine is now crucial to getting the entire economy back to normal.

Responding to the request for January sales to be deferred, Mr. Dillon said: “Public health is the absolute priority. The sector will work with Government to implement any additional measures needed to ensure the safety of customers and staff.”