Successful UK toystore Hamleys, who recently announced they are to occupy a unit at the new Victoria Square in Belfast, are reportedly considering opening a unit at Dundrum Town Centre.

Meanwhile, Irish toy store Smyth's recently opened its first UK store and is planning to roll out 10 new superstores across the UK in the next year.

The 19,045sq m Bridgewater Park scheme in Banbridge, Co Down opened in recent weeks while construction continues on a number of new schemes including the Bridgewater Centre in Arklow, which is due to open this summer, and Athlone Town Centre which is to open next year.

In Galway, there is much excitement about the forthcoming opening of the city's first Zara store in the former Taaffe's premises on Shop Street.

However, with the threat of oversupply looming in some locations, there have been a number of planning refusals in recent weeks. These include the refusal of a retail warehouse scheme in Clonmel, a new Tesco unit at Callan, Kilkenny, a Lidl facility in Kanturk in Cork and a Marks & Spencer unit in Tralee.