Retail Excellence has called for the Government to bring forward the re-opening date of non-essential trade to Monday November 30 - at the latest - from midnight on Tuesday December 1.
It has also called for the easing of Covid-19 restrictions to enable shoppers to cross county lines and to accommodate indoor dining in coffee shops, cafes and restaurants.
Retailers must also be allowed to extend trading hours as needed for December, Retail Excellence said. Retail Excellence's member companies employ 280,000 people around the country.
Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence, said this is the most critical week of the year for retailers, and the country simply can not afford to get the big decisions around reopening