There's concern over what lies ahead, with the spread of the Omicron variant continuing.
Many businesses won't survive further enforced closures, according to Laois Chamber of Commerce.
The Chief Medical Officer is urging people to avoid crowded shops amid the rise in Omicron cases.
CEO of Laois Chamber, Caroline Hoffman says there's a sense of disappointment among business people, who thought the industry was "out of the woods".
She says most retailers have invested a lot in safety protocols and are worried about what's in store over the next few months:
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