The Mandate trade union has described the jobs losses at Marks and Spencer and Superquinn today as 'a very bleak and dark day for retail'.

The union is now preparing to meet with the company to discuss the consequences arising from these planned changes to the company’s Irish operations.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light, said "Our first priority is to ensure that our members who are directly affected are afforded the widest range of options available in an effort to reduce the impact of this devastating news".

Mr. Light also said that while these job losses were a shock to all concerned, it is no surprise that the retail sector continues to 'haemorrhage jobs' due to weak domestic demand.

"Since the economic crisis began we've lost approximately 55,000 retail jobs and today’s announcement is further proof, if needed, that austerity is causing huge damage to our domestic economy" he added.

102 jobs are to be lost as Superquinn is set to be rebranded as Supervalu from February next year.

Chris Martin is CEO of parent company Musgrave. "I regret very much that this decision will impact 102 colleagues at Superquinn’s support office in Lucan who will leave the business over the next eighteen months" he said.

Meanwhile SIPTU representatives are to meet with Marks and Spencer workers to discuss today's announcement that the company is to close four of its stores.

The company announced today that it intends to close its stores in Tallaght, Naas, Dun Laoghaire and Mullingar, which will result in the loss of approximately 180 jobs.

SIPTU Organiser, Neil McGowan, said "SIPTU will enter into discussions around the consequences arising from these planned closures. Our priority is to ensure that our members who are directly affected in the four stores are given the best possible range of options available in an effort to reduce the impact of this devastating news".

"These job losses are yet another indication of the weakened demand in the domestic economy, and the retail sector in particular, that has been accentuated by the continued economic austerity policies being pursued by the government".

David Fitzsimons of Retail Excellence Ireland says that while they are disappointing, the announcements do not come as a big surprise.