About 1,500 retailers will reopen their doors next Monday as the State moves to the first phase of its plan to reopen the economy, according to figures from a retail lobby group. Additionally, homeware stores, opticians, motor and bicycle repair outlets, office product stores, electrical, IT and phone sales and repair stores can reopen. On Monday, builders merchanting group Chadwicks told The Irish Times it had spent more than €200,000 to get ready to reopen its 50 branches to customers next week. Phase twoWhile this phase will see hundreds of stores opening, Mr Fitzsimons noted that about 80 per cent of retailers will reopen at phase two, which commences on June 8th. The guidelines will allow “small retail outlets with a small number of staff” to reopen in the second phase, although the definition of a small store has been omitted.

Source: The Irish Times May 13, 2020 00:07 UTC