The independent retailers lobby RGDATA has warned yesterday's decision by the Government to remove a cap on the size of stores "set a bad precedent".
The Government removed a cap on the size of stores to clear the way for the development of retail
Tara Buckley, director general of the independent retailers lobby RGDATA
superstores by the Swedish furniture group Ikea and the US warehouse giant Costco Wholesale.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Roche, said the change will apply only to sellers of durable goods and not to food retailers.
RGDATA, which campaigned against the change, said it would suck the business from small shops and create "ghost towns" around the country.
Director general Tara Buckley added: "This is a step backwards. This is not very visionary by the minister.
"The experience in the UK is that superstores have decimated villages and towns and one-fifth of shops have closed down."
Meanwhile, the Chair of The Competition Authority, John Fingleton , welcomed the decision, calling it a "positive move" for Irish consumers, and said it would "lead to greater choice and lower prices."