All non-essential retail outlets have been closed under wide-ranging measures announced by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The Board of Directors from Retail Excellence Ireland have issued a statement calling for clarity on future retail activity and an early and full definition as to what will constitute essential retail.

The public has been urged not to panic as a record 27 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed and drastic new measures were introduced to slow the spread of the virus.

Philip McLaughlin is the co-owner of Grey Heron

It's that time of year again - when people push aside the remnants of the selection box and walk off the Christmas Day excesses by barrelling around the St Stephen's Day sales.

Overall Irish retailers are reporting sales are up to 2% higher than last year, but many are still hoping for a surge in business this weekend.

Despite being only halfway through August, we're being encouraged to get in the festive spirit already.

Free wifi is being considered for one of West Cork’s largest towns as part of a new retail and town supports programme.

Free WiFi is being considered for one of West Cork's largest towns as part of a new retail and town supports programme.

Retailers in Cork City who led opposition to the St Patrick’s Street car ban are ready to move beyond the controversy and embrace change, according to one of the organisers of a meeting tonight on the future of retail.

Cork City retailers need to tweak their offering to capitalise on the arrival of thousands of new workers, according to one of the developers leading the multimillion-euro regeneration of the docklands.

Irish shoppers spent over €300m on British websites so far this December.

When a major retailer raises its fees by 20%, it also raises eyebrows.

A number of government TDs are backing the idea of a Brexit minister amid concerns Taoiseach Enda Kenny is unable to focus on securing the best deal for Ireland.

Shops are reporting a drop in sales in the lead up to Christmas compared to last year.

Tomorrow, bargain hunters will be in seventh heaven with some stores opening at 6am for a pre-Christmas shopping phenomenon.

Irish shoppers are expected to spend €100m this week on Black Friday bargains.

Irish SMEs are lagging behind consumers' e-commerce expectations, according to the IE Domain Registry.

A recommended 10c increase in the national minimum wage — outlined to government yesterday and due to be considered as part of the October Budget package — has been widely-slammed as being anti-business and potentially damaging to Ireland’s competitiveness.

After eight years of penny-pinching, consumers have finally found the confidence this Christmas to splash out on ‘big ticket’ items, Retail Ireland has confirmed.

Developing and maintaining a vibrant rural economy is of major national importance, writes Ann Phelan

Cork’s city planners have sought ministerial approval for the major extension of a tax break scheme designed to promote regeneration and city living, and to include the city’s main shopping and office districts.

An interim examiner has been appointed by the High Court to Mothercare Ireland, which employs 276 people in 18 stores across the State.

Union representatives of the 460 workers in the Clerys department store who lost their jobs last Friday in what is being described as a “well rehearsed operation”, will this morning finally get to question what is to happen to their members now.

The closure of Clerys department store has been described as a "bolt from the blue".

More outlets are opening on the country’s prime shopping streets, writes Peter O’Dwyer

Consumer spending could rise by 9% in volume terms this year helping to maintain Ireland’s status as the the eurozone’s fastest growing economy for a second consecutive year.

Retail Excellence Ireland has warned against over-exuberance regarding recovering consumer spend figures, despite 4% year-on-year growth evident in the first three months of the year.