Irish Retail Sales Rise Faster in January

Retail sales in Ireland fell by 0.2% month-on-month in April 2026, following a downwardly revised 0.5% decline in the previous month. The largest volume decreases were recorded in clothing, footwear, and textiles (-2.9%), fuel (-2.3%), department stores (-2%), and electrical goods (-2%). Meanwhile, the overall decline was partly offset by stronger gains in books, newspapers, and stationery (+4.6%), food, beverages, and tobacco in specialised stores (+3.9%), pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles (+3.6%), and bars (+1.8%). On an annual basis, retail activity declined by 0.5% in April, reversing a downwardly revised 0.9% increase recorded in the preceding month.

Retail sales in Ireland increased 0.2% month-over-month in March 2026, following a 0.6% drop in February. The highest volume increases were recorded in electrical goods (+3.3%); hardware, paints & glass (+3%), and other retail sales (+2.4%) while the largest monthly volume decreases were seen in books, newspapers & stationery (-4.2%) and bars (-2.7%). In volume terms, fuel sales remained relatively stable, but the value soared 7.7%, reflecting the inflation currently being experienced in the sector. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 1.6% in March 2026, following an upwardly revised 1.3% gain in February.

Retail sales in Ireland decreased by 0.8% month-over-month in February 2026, reversing an upwardly revised 1.8% rise in the previous month. This marked the biggest fall since August 2025, mainly due to lower sales of clothing, footwear, and textiles (-4.4%), hardware, paints, and glass (-3.6%), and motor trades (-1.4%). Meanwhile, the strongest gains were seen in pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles (+6.4%), department stores (+1.1%), and books, newspapers, and stationery (+1.0%). On a yearly basis, retail trade rose by 0.8%, slowing from an upwardly 3.4% growth in January.