Shoppers urged to stay safe ahead of expected surge in Christmas present buying before retail closes for two weeks

Northern Ireland is set to face a two-week period of tougher Covid-19 lockdown measures from Friday. Non-essential retail will have to shut, and the hospitality sector will have to remain closed.

The measures were agreed by the executive last week.

Retail NI has urged shoppers to follow the Executive regulations and to make a particular effort to support independent retailers who are facing closure for two weeks. The business group has also issued a five-point plan for shoppers to follow.

Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “With a surge in shopping on our high streets this weekend, which is expected until November 27, we would urge shoppers to stay safe and follow the Executive guidance”

“Retail NI have produced a simple five-point plan for shoppers to follow”

“We also want to ask shoppers to make a special effort this week to support independent retailers that are being forced to close for two weeks from Friday”

“Why is it that large multi-national supermarkets, who made significant increased profits this year, will be allowed to sell clothes and toys, but yet struggling independent retailers who sell the same products will be forced to close”

“The winners of this second lockdown will be multi-nationals and global online retailers and sadly the losers will be our own local small businesses. So, we urge shoppers to make a special effort to support their local independent retailers to ensure these businesses can have a future”

“We need the Executive to bring forward immediate support for those businesses forced to close and produce a ‘survival’ strategy to ensure we save as many jobs and small traders as possible this Christmas”