Convenience shops and newsagents are running low on reserves of change and may have to stop exchanging large notes with customers.
The independent grocers association, RGDATA, said a number of its members were warned yesterday that due to the dispute at Brinks Allied, banks could not guarantee supplies of coins during the dispute.
"They have been told not to give out change and to avoid accepting large notes for small purchases if possible," an RGDATA spokeswoman said.
The Musgrave supermarket group said there had been a "huge demand" for the cash machine facilities in its Centra and Supervalu chains. "Most of these machines are filled independently by the retailers every night, so they aren't affected by the current strike."
Centra and Supervalu offer a cash-back facility with laser card purchases. However "where people were looking for €50 they now want €200", a spokeswoman said.
All Spar shops provide a cash-back facility, at the individual owner's discretion. Superquinn stocks its own cash machines and offers a laser card cash-back facility of €100 with each purchase.
Tesco Ireland offers up to €90 cash back in all stores, regardless of the value of purchase.
