THE volume of retail space in Irish shopping centres now stands at 8.7 million square feet compared with 6.9 million square feet in 1993, according to the Centre of Retail Studies at University College, Dublin. The centre has issued two new publications, The Dublin Shopping Centre Digest and The Irish Shopping Centre Digest, which provide an illustrated commentary on the shopping centre industry. Detailed information is provided on each centre including development and ownership data, anchor stores, allocation of floor space among retail categories, rent review period and service charges. The Centre for Retail Studies says that with the increasing competitive environment of additional centres and the influx of overseas retailers, the detailed information in the digests is required for strategic and tactical decision-making by those involved in the retail industry.