Retail Excellence, the representative body for the retail industry in Ireland, has called for additional financial supports for the sector.
It comes as the Cabinet agreed this afternoon that Level 5 restrictions will continue until 5 March.
Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence, said that the Government must put a "robust plan" in place to help businesses.
"We understand the need for a lockdown at present, as case numbers are still too high for a wider reopening of the economy.
"However, by the end of this lockdown retailers will have been shut for at least half a year if not longer, and they deserve to know how the Government will plan on helping them once this virus is defeated," he said.
Mr Graham said that retailers need help on rents and fixed costs to protect the industry.
He added that the Government should advise the retail industry of how many case numbers or vaccinations were needed before shops could be reopened.
"At present we are in a holding pattern, with no clarity whatsoever on how and when retailers can reopen.
"Everyone appreciates the need for restrictions at present, but surely it is not too much to ask for clarity on what is needed for reopening in terms of case numbers or the progress of the vaccination rollout," said Mr Graham.
