In September, a slight increase of 0.5% was observed in retail sales in Ireland, with a higher expenditure reported for motor vehicles, electrical products, and at drinking establishments. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) noted that, removing auto sales from the equation, retail sales saw a 0.7% rise for the month.
Continued retail growth is anticipated due to factors such as diminishing inflation, stronger labour markets, and a rebound in genuine income. According to the CSO, sectors that experienced the most significant monthly volume growth included electrical goods with a 6.1% increase, books, newspapers, and stationery, which grew by 4.6%, followed by furniture and lighting, and hardware, paints, and glass, both recording a 1.9% increase.
However, a drop in monthly volume was seen in pharmaceuticals, medical, and cosmetic articles with a 2.6% decrease, trailed by food, beverages, and tobacco declining by 1.1%, and a marginal dip in non-specialised stores such as supermarkets, with a decrease of 0.1%.
Even though annual statistics revealed a minor increase of 0.2% in sales volume, notable drops were seen in bars with a 7.4% decrease, food, beverages, and tobacco with a 6.5% decrease, and automotive trades with a 3.5% decline.
The CSO also indicated that purchases from Irish registered companies made online constituted 5.2% of all retail sales in September.