Ireland Retail Sales Edge Lower in December

Retail sales in Ireland fell by 0.1% month-over-month in December 2025, reversing a revised 0.3% rise in November. The decline was mainly driven by weaker sales of books, newspapers and stationery (-9% versus -1.2%), fuel (-2.6% versus 0.9%), hardware, paints and glass (-2.5% versus 2.8%) and bars (-2.1% versus 3.8%). In contrast, sales increased for electrical goods (2% versus -0.7%), food, beverages and tobacco (1.7% versus -1.4%) and clothing, footwear and textiles (1.6% versus -0.7%), while growth slowed down for motor trades (2.5% versus 4.7%). On a yearly basis, retail trade decreased by 0.1% in December, the first decline since March 2025, following a revised 2.1% increase in November.

Retail sales in Ireland rose by 0.5% month-over-month in November 2025, rebounding from a 0.5% fall in the previous month. Sectors showing the highest monthly volume increases were motor trades (4.7% vs -1.7% in October), bars (3.8% vs -1.2%), and hardware, paints and glass (2.8% vs -3.5%). Additionally, activity declined at a slower pace for clothing, footwear and textiles (-0.7% vs -1.9%) and electrical goods (-0.7% vs -1.2%). On the other hand, the largest monthly volume decreases were recorded in other retail sales (-1.4% vs 0.3%), food, beverages and tobacco (specialised stores) (-1.4% vs 4.4%), and books, newspapers and stationery (-1.2% vs 0.9%). On a yearly basis, retail trade increased by 2.5% in November, following a 2.1% gain in the preceding period.

Retail sales in Ireland declined 0.5% month-over-month in October 2025, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in September. The decline was weighed down by decreases in food, beverages and tobacco (-2.6% vs 4.4% in September), fuel (-1.1% vs 1.6%). Meanwhile, improved performance were seen in clothing, footwear and textiles (3.6% vs -1.9%). On an annual basis, retail activity rose 2.1% in October, slowing from a 3.7% gain in the previous month, marking the seventh consecutive month of growth.