Sentiment about the general economic outlook and outlook for jobs both weakened compared to December

The improved performance by the company came amidst Holland & Barrett investing €7 million here over 2024 and 2023 including refitting all its Irish stores and new store openings in Cork, Tullamore, and Dublin Jervis Street.

The three stores will add to B&Q's existing network of eight stores in the Republic.

The stricken firm has set a deadline of the end of next week for potential buyers to snap up its remaining shops in the UK and Ireland

It comes after Austrian real estate conglomerate Signa, which had co-owned the company with Thai firm Central, collapsed into insolvency last year.

The man, aged in his 40s, was arrested over alleged incidents in Clare and Tipperary.

Its 31 remaining stores in the UK and Ireland will close before the end of the day on Tuesday and the website has also been closed.

The new Penneys store in Bray was officially opened on Thursday by Emer Higgins TD

From March 25th, all ALDI stores will open from 8am, Monday to Saturday, and close at 10pm.

This is according to Tesco Ireland, who listed their top 10 items purchased on Christmas Eve.

Over three quarters of those surveyed justified spending over their budget

The chief executive of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association said many shop owners are fearful.