Restrictions 'will put 60,000 retail jobs at risk' 

Retail Ireland said a closure of 'non-essential' shops would be 'a massive blow' to a sector still recovering from lockdown earlier this year

St Patrick's St, Cork. The shutdown of non-essential retail outlets will 'seriously curtail' the Christmas shopping season

Tightened social restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of Covid-19 will put a further 60,000 retail jobs at risk, according to industry groups, which have also warned that many retailers are depending on the pre-Christmas trading period just to survive.

Already 30,000 retail jobs have been lost since the Covid crisis hit Ireland in March. Warning of a further “devastating impact”, industry group Retail Excellence said all retail should be classed as “essential”.