By Q Radio news
Traders in Northern Ireland are braced for a manic weekend of trading - ahead of a six week lockdown next week.
Under the new rules, hospitality will be forced to shut from Boxing Day - with cafes, restaurants and pubs only allowed to operate a takeaway service.
Shops in cities and towns across the region are expected to experience a surge in festive demand for goods as the public seizes the last big shopping opportunity before the next lockdown.
Shop owners are hoping their tills will be ringing to make up for shortfalls caused by weeks of closure.
Steven Simpson owns independent shop Rio Brazil in Belfast.
He says he understands the executive's decision to introduce another lockdown - but says consideration needs to be given to a financial package:
Simon Hamilton, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber says the introduction of the new measures are a massive failure on the executive's part.
He says cases still remained high whilst retailers remained closed in the previous lockdowns:
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