Non-essential retail shops, hair and beauty providers, gyms and leisure centres are among the businesses that are reopening their premises to the public across the country today following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Cinemas, museums and galleries will also be able to reopen, but pubs serving food and restaurants will remain closed until Friday.
After six weeks shut and with Christmas approaching, pent up consumer demand for in-store shopping and many services is expected to be strong.
Retail Ireland is predicting that €1.2 billion will be spent in retail outlets this December over and above a normal month. However, after a long period of closure, businesses have faced many challenges in preparing for reopening,.