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For more information on this release:
E-mail: sts_rap@cso.ie Alan Finlay (+353) 21 453 5211 Lillian Tobin (+353) 21 453 5585
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5295
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Retail Sales Index

April 2015 (Provisional) March 2015 (Final)

Seasonally Adjusted Retail Sales Index-All Businesses
 (Base Year 2005 = 100)
     Volume IndexValue Index
April 201495.989.4
March 2015106.896.3
April 2015107.396.8
Monthly % change0.50.5
Annual % change11.98.3

Retail Sales Volume increased by 0.5% in April 2015

Retail Sales Index-Seasonally Adjusted Volume
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The  volume of retail sales (i.e. excluding price effects) increased by 0.5% in April 2015 when compared with March 2015 and there was an increase of 11.9% in the annual figure. (See Table 1). If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 3.1% in the volume of retail sales in April 2015 when compared with March 2015 and there was an increase of 7.8% in the annual figure. (See Table 2).

The sectors with the largest month on month volume increases were Department Stores (+11.6%), Food Beverages & Tobacco (+4.8%) and Other Retail Sales (+4.0%). The sectors with the largest monthly decreases were Motors (-2.5%), Furniture and Lighting (-2.1%) and Electrical Goods (-0.8%). (See Table 3).

There was an increase of 0.5% in the value of retail sales in April 2015 when compared with March 2015 and there was an annual increase of 8.3% when compared with April 2014. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was a monthly increase of 2.6% in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 4.0%.  

Business SectorsAnnualMonthly
All Businesses11.90.5
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades7.83.1
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars8.33.2
Motors & Fuel21.7-1.6
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars8.33.2
Food Businesses6.32.4
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & Bars)102
Household Equipment8.6-0.9
Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods21.33.9
Table 1 Seasonally Adjusted Indices of Total Retail Sales 1
        Base Year: 2005=100
   Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined
Period  Value of Sales Volume of Sales
          
    % change on previous period   % change on previous period 
    Annual % change  Annual % change
   Index Index
          
2011Year 88.5-0.7-0.7 93.1-0.9-0.9
2012Year 87.9-0.7-0.7 92.1-1.1-1.1
2013Year 87.7-0.2-0.2 92.70.70.7
2014Year 91.34.14.1 98.66.46.4
          
20141st quarter 90.20.75.3 96.51.27.4
 2nd quarter 89.9-0.33.7 95.8-0.85.6
 3rd quarter 92.73.14.7 100.65.06.9
 4th quarter 91.9-0.82.7 100.50.05.4
          
20151st quarter 95.23.65.6 105.44.99.2
          
2013November 89.70.70.9 95.51.02.7
 December 89.80.11.7 95.90.43.7
          
2014January  90.30.67.0 96.70.88.9
 February 89.5-0.82.9 95.6-1.14.8
 March 90.51.15.9 97.11.68.3
 April 89.4-1.33.6 95.9-1.25.9
 May 90.00.73.7 96.80.95.8
 June 90.20.23.6 94.8-2.15.0
 July 94.04.36.0 102.68.38.7
 August 92.1-2.04.6 99.5-3.16.3
 September 92.0-0.13.7 99.80.35.8
 October 91.6-0.52.8 99.5-0.35.2
 November 91.90.42.5 100.51.05.2
 December 92.20.32.7 101.30.95.7
          
2015January 94.72.74.9 104.63.28.2
 February 94.5-0.35.5 104.60.09.3
 March 96.32.06.4 106.82.19.9
 April2 96.80.58.3 107.30.511.9
          
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to April 2015    
2Provisional value and volume of sales indices based on early returns from sample retailers  
Table 2 Seasonally Adjusted Indices of Total Retail Sales (Excluding Motor Trades)1
        Base Year: 2005=100
   Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined (Excl Motor Trades)
Period  Value of Sales Volume of Sales
          
    % change on previous period   % change on previous period 
    Annual % change  Annual % change
   Index Index
          
2011Year 96.0-1.8-1.8 100.3-2.6-2.6
2012Year 96.40.40.4 100.1-0.2-0.2
2013Year 96.3-0.1-0.1 100.90.80.8
2014Year 97.81.61.6 104.63.73.7
          
20141st quarter 97.00.60.8 102.50.72.8
 2nd quarter 97.30.32.4 103.20.84.1
 3rd quarter 97.30.01.3 104.00.83.2
 4th quarter 97.90.61.6 106.22.14.4
          
20151st quarter 98.10.21.2 107.61.35.0
          
2013November 96.20.4-0.1 101.50.91.6
 December 96.90.70.8 102.71.12.8
          
2014January 97.30.41.4 102.6-0.13.1
 February 97.3-0.10.9 102.70.12.8
 March 96.4-0.90.4 102.1-0.52.7
 April 96.80.43.3 102.70.65.1
 May 97.20.41.5 103.10.43.5
 June 97.80.62.5 103.70.63.9
 July 97.80.01.1 104.00.23.2
 August 97.6-0.21.8 104.20.23.3
 September 96.7-1.01.0 104.0-0.23.1
 October 97.71.02.0 105.11.14.5
 November 97.5-0.21.3 105.50.33.9
 December 98.51.11.6 107.62.04.7
          
2015January 98.1-0.50.7 107.4-0.14.7
 February 98.30.21.0 108.10.65.3
 March 98.0-0.31.7 107.4-0.65.1
 April2 100.62.64.0 110.73.17.8
          
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to April 2015    
2Provisional value and volume of sales indices based on early returns from sample retailers  
Table 3 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses
 (Preliminary Estimates)  Base Year: 2005=100
 April 2015
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  Monthly % changeAnnual % change  Monthly % changeAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 80.9-2.524.3 92.5-2.526.2
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 126.82.95.3 126.73.37.2
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 90.811.59.2 127.611.613.0
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco87.04.94.0 85.64.85.9
        
 Fuel105.41.7-4.7 81.21.02.7
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles97.71.11.8 108.80.03.4
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles87.72.87.1 132.03.511.3
        
 Furniture & Lighting62.6-2.32.4 101.9-2.16.7
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass79.20.15.4 85.8-0.17.0
        
 Electrical Goods80.3-1.13.0 172.1-0.88.6
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.30.2-0.9 54.2-0.1-3.0
        
 Other Retail Sales84.53.715.2 116.84.023.3
        
 Bars 77.02.25.2 66.72.55.2
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades100.62.64.0 110.73.17.8
        
 All Businesses 96.80.58.3 107.30.511.9
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars103.92.74.1 116.63.28.3
        
 Motors & Fuel87.7-0.816.9 90.5-1.621.7
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars103.62.65.2 119.93.28.3
        
 Food Businesses123.22.44.6 122.52.46.3
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)84.71.75.9 117.42.010.0
        
 Household Equipment76.8-0.64.5 125.3-0.98.6
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods80.53.113.1 105.73.921.3
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to April 2015, individual series are independently adjusted  
2See Seasonal Adjustment in Background Notes
Table 4 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses
   Base Year: 2005=100
 March 2015
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  Monthly % changeAnnual % change  Monthly % changeAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 83.03.721.9 94.93.824.0
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 123.2-1.40.8 122.7-1.12.5
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 81.5-5.0-4.5 114.3-3.8-1.2
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco83.02.8-1.5 81.62.70.3
        
 Fuel103.70.4-7.9 80.4-0.80.6
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles96.6-0.20.1 108.90.34.1
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles85.31.53.6 127.52.37.2
        
 Furniture & Lighting64.11.314.3 104.12.019.9
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass79.12.28.9 85.81.910.2
        
 Electrical Goods81.3-0.45.7 173.4-0.111.4
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.2-0.2-0.6 54.3-0.5-2.1
        
 Other Retail Sales81.53.913.2 112.33.320.9
        
 Bars 75.42.32.0 65.13.21.6
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades98.0-0.31.7 107.4-0.65.1
        
 All Businesses 96.32.06.4 106.82.19.9
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars101.1-0.61.4 113.0-0.75.4
        
 Motors & Fuel88.53.214.2 92.03.219.6
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars101.0-0.82.6 116.1-0.85.8
        
 Food Businesses120.3-1.41.2 119.7-1.03.0
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)83.31.05.5 115.11.29.8
        
 Household Equipment77.30.87.8 126.40.512.4
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods78.13.010.6 101.73.018.3
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to April 2015, individual series are independently adjusted
2See Seasonal Adjustment in Background Notes  
Table 5 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses
 (Preliminary Estimates)  Base Year: 2005=100
 February 2015 - April 2015
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  % change on previous periodAnnual % change  % change on previous periodAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 81.48.522.7 93.19.024.8
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 124.90.92.5 124.31.74.3
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 85.7-3.21.7 119.8-1.45.1
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco83.5-1.8-0.5 82.2-1.11.4
        
 Fuel104.1-0.1-7.2 80.92.31.9
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles97.0-0.30.4 108.71.43.2
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles85.71.64.6 128.02.58.1
        
 Furniture & Lighting63.43.211.4 102.84.216.9
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass78.62.15.9 85.32.57.5
        
 Electrical Goods81.10.35.4 173.11.111.0
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.30.5-0.7 54.30.0-2.3
        
 Other Retail Sales81.56.211.5 112.57.819.8
        
 Bars 75.40.41.9 64.9-0.21.6
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades98.90.92.2 108.61.66.0
        
 All Businesses 95.93.26.7 106.34.110.3
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars102.20.92.2 114.31.76.4
        
 Motors & Fuel87.48.014.9 90.78.520.4
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars102.01.23.4 117.61.76.6
        
 Food Businesses121.71.02.3 120.91.74.2
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)83.42.35.2 115.43.39.6
        
 Household Equipment76.92.06.6 125.92.211.2
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods78.25.49.7 102.16.917.6
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to April 2015, individual series are independently adjusted
2See Seasonal Adjustment in Background Notes  

Background Notes

Retail Sales Index

An updated Retail Sales Index (RSI) was introduced in the February 2009 release. The underlying methodology remains unchanged. The index is primarily intended to measure short-term trends.  For long term analysis allowance must be made for the fact that the series does not reflect changes in retail structures between updates.

Reference Period

The March 2015 period covers the 5 weeks from 01/03/14 to 04/04/15 and the April 2015 period covers the 4 weeks from 05/04/15 to 02/05/15.

Base Year

This set of monthly retail sales indices has been compiled with reference to base year 2005=100. The underlying structural weighting system is mainly based on the 2005 Annual Services Inquiry. Weights are updated from year to year using ratios of average weekly turnover by size class within business type.

Scope and Coverage

The Retail Sales Index covers, on a sample basis, the retail sales of retail businesses, wholesale businesses with sizeable retailing activity and the separate sales establishments of non-distribution enterprises. Excluded from the index coverage are the direct retail sales from non-distribution establishments together with the incidental retail sales of wholesale businesses. Also excluded are sales by hawkers, street stalls and other retailing activities not conducted from permanent business premises. The statistical unit used for reporting sales figures in this inquiry is the enterprise (i.e. complete business covering all branches).

Methodology

The business categories are based mainly on the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE Rev. 2). The index system is structured on the retailing enterprises covered in the 2005 Annual Services Inquiry classified by 13 retail business categories and four turnover (excluding VAT) ranges.

The value indices are calculated by updating the aggregate 2005 retail turnover (including VAT) of these enterprises in these cells using the monthly retail sales data provided by the enterprise respondent panel from 2005 onwards.

The compilation of the index for a current month is based on the percentage change in average weekly sales in these cells over the corresponding monthly period of the previous year. The monthly volume indices are calculated by deflating the seasonally unadjusted value indices by specially constructed retail price indices derived from the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A copy of the Retail Sales Index methodology is available on our website (www.cso.ie).

Seasonal Adjustment

All Retail Sales “unadjusted” series are trading day adjusted as they are based on either a standardised four or five week reporting period (see reference period note above). Seasonal adjustment is conducted using the direct seasonal adjustment approach.  Under this approach each individual series is independently adjusted, e.g. aggregate series are adjusted without reference to the component series. Each individual seasonally adjusted series is calculated based on unadjusted data spanning from January 2000 to the current period.

The adjustments are completed by applying the X-12-ARIMA model, developed by the U.S. Census Bureau to the unadjusted data. This methodology estimates seasonal factors while also taking into consideration factors that impact on the quality of the seasonal adjustment such as:

  • Calendar effects, e.g. the timing of Easter,
  • The phase shift effect, i.e. the fact the reporting period of the RSI does not coincide with the calendar month and
  • Outliers, temporary changes and level shifts in the series.
     
    Note: Athough each series is independently adjusted, no changes were made to the Motor Trade series Seasonal Adjustment model to take account of the introduction of the new car registration system in Ireland in 2013.  This is due to a lack of historical data or comparable models that would be required to inform the Seasonal Adjustment model. Once a seasonal pattern has been established we will be in a position to review the Motor Trade Seasonal Ajustment model.
     
    Also to note, the Motor Trade group comprises all retail motor trade activities, of which new car sales accounts for approximately 45% of turnover.

For additional information on the use of X-12-ARIMA see (Findley, D.F., B.C. Monsell, W.R. Bell, M.C. Otto, and B. Chen (1998), “New Capabilities and Methods of the X-12-Arima Seasonal Adjustment Program”, Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, 16, pp. 127-177.) and  www.census.gov/srd/www/x12a/

Reference

A detailed description of the Retail Sales Index is available on the CSO website  http://www.cso.ie/en/surveysandmethodology/services/retailsalesindexsurveys/retailsalesindex/ Retrospective details for the current and previous series are also available on the CSO website.

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