Carphone Warehouse has closed in Ireland with a loss of around 400 jobs.
The company says it is due to a change in consumer habits.
Around 80 Carphone Warehouse stores have closed immediately, while some staff will be kept on by the company over the next couple of days for operational reasons.
The business say it expected a change in consumer habits with people buying phones less frequently - however it expected it to occur over a long period of time with the change attributed to the pandemic.
The firm's parent company says they'll also continue selling phones and accessories through Currys PC World.
Carphone Warehouse had closed its stores in the UK last year.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar says the news is major blow to employees and their families after what has been really difficult year.
Today's news is major blow to @CPWTweets employees & their families after what has been really difficult year. My thoughts are with them today & I want them to know that Govt will make all necessary assistance available – income support, jobsearch advice & ed opportunities
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 21, 2021
The Tanaiste says many high street retailers have been under pressure for some time now with the move to online and the pandemic.
