A study by Barclays Bank Ireland has found that 80% of retailers believe this year’s Christmas sales will exceed or match sales from last year, as confidence gradually improves in the Irish retail sector.
Fewer than than 20% of retailers anticipate a drop in consumer spend on last year and only 16% of respondents said they felt less confident about Christmas trading this year.
Helen Kelly, head of large corporates for Barclays Bank Ireland, commented, “It is encouraging to see that after some time the confidence of retailers is improving, which is in direct correlation with the gradual improvement in consumer confidence in recent months.”
Digital platforms are expected to be a major area of growth this year, as 48% of retailers believe online traffic will rise by at least 11% on Christmas Day.
“Christmas Day may be one of only a few days a year when retailers are not physically able to throw open their doors, but that won’t stop consumers bagging sales bargains online,” said Kelly.
© 2013 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
