Retail Excellence has forecast that another 200,000 people will be out of work by the end of this week because of the measures put in place to tackle the coronavirus.
This is in addition to the estimated 140,000 people who have already lost their jobs since the measures were announced last Thursday.
Retail Excellence Chief Executive David Fitzsimons called for a decree suspending all non-essential commerce, the introduction of a business boost grant, and the suspension of VAT and rate payments for a year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Fitzsimons also spoke about the personal toll the pandemic has had on him and his family.