Queues have formed outside some of the country’s largest shops as they reopen their doors after six weeks of lockdown.
Shops are returning alongside hairdressers, gyms, barbers, golf courses and cinemas.
People have been asked to wear facemasks on busy street and Retail Excellence has described the early trade as “brisk but comfortable.”
These shoppers queuing in Dundrum Town Centre this morning said the shopping experience finally makes it feel like Christmas.
“My friend needs 12 pairs of pyjamas,” said one. “The family is home for Christmas so she needs 12 pairs.”
“Because the centres have been closed for so long, it is just something different. It is just back to normality.
“It is Christmas like; it is starting to make it feel like it’s Christmas now because you are able to come in and get a few presents, get a bit of shopping.
“It is going to be like Supermarket Sweep now when we get in.”
Reporter @HenryMcKean heads to #Penneys as day one of level 3 kicks off pic.twitter.com/6WhZdQ8yEA
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) December 1, 2020
Pyjamas were also top of the list for shoppers queuing outside Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, when Newstalk reporter Henry McKean arrived this morning.
“I am just here to get Christmas Eve pyjamas,” said one. “Like matching family pyjamas. For the kids and the adults and everyone has the same pair.
“The pyjamas are great,” another. “I’m here for bed clothes and the children’s pyjamas and just Penneys is great in general.
“Everywhere has been sold out of pyjamas. Ordering online and that you wouldn’t get the sizes you need.”
“I came to Penneys to buy matching Christmas Eve Pyjamas.” Yes matching Christmas Eve Pyjamas is a thing. @PatKennyNT @jonathanhealy @NewstalkFM #Penneys #December1st #Level3 pic.twitter.com/jzcsL1wDzb
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) December 1, 2020
One lady said she was “delighted that the shops are back open.”
“We came out really early this morning just to get a start on the Christmas shopping,” she said.
“You love going out to Penneys just to have a nosey. Even if you don’t need anything you just pick up a lot of stuff.
“It is great to be here and there is loads of stock in the shops so it is a bit of a head start.”
“I just needed to buy a Baby Yoda.” What motivated hundreds of shoppers to queue from 5am to shop in the reopened Penneys? @PatKennyNT with @jonathanhealy @NewstalkFM #Penneys #December1st #level3 #Staysafe #Grogu #Starwars @Primark pic.twitter.com/XfRlO1BfHh
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) December 1, 2020
Meanwhile, shoppers in the city centre said some stores are very busy - and not everyone has been following COVID-19 guidelines.
“Yeah they are busy,” said one. “The queues are quite long so I have gone into a few shops and just walked back out
“They are too packed like. You don’t want to put yourself in that position to be honest, when some people are wearing masks and some people aren’t.
“I think it is quite packed,” said another.
“People are very close together still. There are a lot of people in there. There is definitely not social distancing in there; I don’t think anyway. People were nearly banging into me.”
You can listen back to Henry’s report for The Pat Kenny Show here:
