VACANCY rates in the Dublin office market have fallen for the first time in two years, with experts saying a two-tiered system is emerging with prime locations in more demand.

CONSUMER spending and confidence are expected to stabilise as the year progresses, even though retail sales nose-dived by 17.3% in January.

RETAIL sales plunged a record 14% in 2009, in what was the worst year ever for a sector, crippled by job losses and falling sales.

IRELAND’S commercial-property market won’t recover until 2010 at the earliest as the economic slump and tight credit conditions deter investors, according to a report by real estate broker CB Richard Ellis Group.