Irish chain Superquinn, which has resisted Sunday opening for almost a decade, has finally been forced into seven day trading by market pressures. Superquinn, with 18 outlets across the Republic, with another two planned for later this year, had won public plaudits for its stand. But while it remained closed, its two main competitors, Dunnes Stores and Tesco, have built up a steady Sunday trade and increased market share at Superquinn's expense. Now company chief executive Feargal Quinn, a member of the Irish Senate and long-time champion of traditional family values, has conceded defeat and introduced Sunday opening at a number of his stores. "We held out for 10 years and I have to say we made the decision to open very reluctantly," he said. "I had always hoped we would never have to open on Sundays, because I felt most people should be able to do their shopping on other days, particularly with late night opening. But I've come to understand that is not the case. If we're not open our customers go elsewhere. "In fact, some people have told me they admired us for not opening on Sunday, then admitted they did their shopping elsewhere on that day." Superquinn has just over 9% of the I£7bn Irish grocery market, compared to 21.4% for Dunnes and almost 24% for Tesco, according to the latest survey. Brendan Archibold, an official of Mandate, the Irish shopworkers' union, believes the policy switch on Sunday opening signals a determination by Superquinn to defend its patch against inroads by the market's big two. Special premium pay rates for Sunday working have been agreed with the chain, he said, and added: "We accept Sunday opening is here to stay. Our concern now would be that there could be a move by the multiples to 24 hour opening. Both Dunnes and Tesco tried it at a couple of stores at Christmas time. But we don't think it's necessary and we would resist it." {{NEWS }}