Retail Ireland says Irish retailers have been reporting a strong performance over the Christmas season, with most on track to hit pre-Christmas sales growth targets.
Retail Ireland previously predicted industrywide sales value growth in the region of 2.6% to €2,654 per household in its pre-Christmas Retail Monitor, and indications are that the industry is on track to meet this target.
Many retailers are also reporting a noticeable uplift in their online stores this Christmas season.
Border Worries
Despite a more positive mood, retailers are also reporting that recent weeks have seen a significant distortion in trade in the border counties as a weak sterling continues to draw Irish consumers in close proximity to the border into Northern Ireland.
Director of Retail Ireland, Thomas Burke, commented, “Retailers have been greatly challenged in recent weeks by an increase in both cross-border sales and online sales with foreign websites. In order to counteract this shift, retailers have continued to drive prices downwards and improve both in-store and online offerings.
“While certain categories are feeling the impact of this pressure, on the whole, retailers are reporting steady, if unspectacular growth on the same period in 2016. Most remain on track to achieve pre-Christmas sales growth targets which would result in the best Christmas performance by the sector in close to a decade.
“That said, sales will likely remain somewhat off the 2007 peak, and for some retailers, it will be a close run thing, with the performance in days immediately post-Christmas, and the January sales, likely to be crucial in terms of the final outcome.”
© 2017 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan
