Seasonally Adjusted Retail Sales Index - All Businesses | ||
(Base Year 2015 = 100) | ||
Volume Index | Value Index | |
December 2018 | 117.4 | 109.7 |
November 2019 | 119.9 | 111.0 |
December 2019 | 124.2 | 114.7 |
Monthly % change | 3.6 | 3.4 |
Annual % change | 5.8 | 4.6 |
The volume of retail sales increased by 3.6% in December when compared to November on a seasonally adjusted basis and increased by 5.8% on an annual basis. See Table 1.
Note: 'Black Friday' is included in the December reporting period for the RSI, which covers the 5 weeks 24/11/2019 - 28/12/2019. In 2018 'Black Friday' was covered in the November reporting period.
When Motor Trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 2.8% in December 2019 and rose by 5.0% when compared with December 2018. See Table 2.
The sectors with the largest month on month volume increases were Food, Beverages & Tobacco (11.7%) and Motor Trades (5.3%). See Table 3. The sectors with the largest monthly volume decreases were Other Retail Sales (-10.0%) and Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-3.0%). See Table 3.
There was an increase of 3.4% in the value of retail sales in December 2019 when compared with November 2019 and there was an annual increase of 4.6% when compared with December 2018. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 2.9% in the value of retail sales in the month and an increase of 3.0% in the annual figure.
Unadjusted indices are available on CSO Statbank.
Online Sales
This release contains new estimates of online sales in Tables 6 & 7. The figures only include retailers based in Ireland. Online sales were estimated to account for 4.1% of total Retail Sales in December 2019 and for 3.3% in the year 2019. These estimates do not include online purchases from abroad.
The sector with the highest share of its sales online in December 2019 was Online & Mail Order at 87.5%. This sector accounted for 1.0% of turnover in the 2017 Annual Services Inquiry. For Electrical Goods the online share was 13% and for Clothing, Footwear & Textiles it was 7.3%.
Business Sectors | Annual change | Monthly change |
---|---|---|
All Businesses | 5.8 | 3.6 |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades | 5 | 2.8 |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars | 5.4 | 2.7 |
Motors & Fuel | 9.2 | 2.9 |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars | 5.6 | 3 |
Food Businesses | 3.3 | 0 |
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & Bars) | 6.6 | 2.2 |
Household Equipment | 18.1 | 7.2 |
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods | 2.9 | 5.1 |
Table 1 Seasonally Adjusted Indices of Total Retail Sales1 | |||||||||
Base Year: 2015=100 | |||||||||
Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined | |||||||||
Period | Value of Sales | Volume of Sales | |||||||
Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | ||||
2015 | Year | 100.2 | 100.3 | ||||||
2016 | Year | 104.9 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 107.8 | 7.9 | 7.9 | ||
2017 | Year | 106.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 112.0 | 3.9 | 3.9 | ||
2018 | Year | 109.4 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 116.2 | 3.8 | 3.8 | ||
2019 | Year2 | 110.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 118.6 | 2.1 | 2.1 | ||
2018 | 1st quarter | 107.5 | 0.9 | -0.4 | 113.5 | 0.2 | 1.2 | ||
2nd quarter | 109.3 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 116.0 | 2.3 | 5.0 | |||
3rd quarter | 110.1 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 117.2 | 1.0 | 4.7 | |||
4th quarter | 110.4 | 0.2 | 3.6 | 118.0 | 0.6 | 4.2 | |||
2019 | 1st quarter | 109.8 | -0.5 | 2.1 | 116.8 | -1.0 | 2.9 | ||
2nd quarter | 110.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 117.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 | |||
3rd quarter | 109.2 | -0.9 | -0.9 | 117.7 | 0.0 | 0.4 | |||
4th quarter2 | 113.1 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 122.5 | 4.1 | 3.9 | |||
2018 | July | 110.4 | -0.2 | 4.5 | 117.3 | -0.3 | 5.2 | ||
August | 109.1 | -1.2 | 1.9 | 116.0 | -1.1 | 2.6 | |||
September | 111.0 | 1.8 | 5.7 | 118.4 | 2.1 | 6.3 | |||
October | 111.0 | 0.0 | 5.9 | 118.8 | 0.3 | 6.3 | |||
November | 110.3 | -0.6 | 2.5 | 117.7 | -0.9 | 3.0 | |||
December | 109.7 | -0.5 | 2.4 | 117.4 | -0.3 | 3.4 | |||
2019 | January | 109.6 | -0.1 | -1.8 | 116.0 | -1.2 | -0.5 | ||
February | 110.6 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 117.6 | 1.4 | 4.4 | |||
March | 109.2 | -1.3 | 4.6 | 116.9 | -0.6 | 5.1 | |||
April | 112.4 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 119.9 | 2.6 | 4.5 | |||
May | 109.2 | -2.8 | 0.1 | 116.4 | -2.9 | 0.5 | |||
June | 108.8 | -0.4 | -1.6 | 117.2 | 0.7 | -0.4 | |||
July | 104.0 | -4.4 | -5.8 | 112.0 | -4.4 | -4.5 | |||
August | 109.9 | 5.7 | 0.8 | 118.3 | 5.6 | 2.0 | |||
September | 113.7 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 122.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | |||
October | 113.5 | -0.1 | 2.3 | 123.4 | 0.4 | 3.9 | |||
November | 111.0 | -2.2 | 0.6 | 119.9 | -2.8 | 1.9 | |||
December2 | 114.7 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 124.2 | 3.6 | 5.8 | |||
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to December 2019 | |||||||||
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: 2015=100 | |||||||||
Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined (Excl Motor Trades) | |||||||||
Period | Value of Sales | Volume of Sales | |||||||
Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | ||||
2015 | Year | 100.2 | 100.3 | ||||||
2016 | Year | 101.2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 104.4 | 4.9 | 4.9 | ||
2017 | Year | 104.7 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 110.5 | 5.8 | 5.8 | ||
2018 | Year | 107.2 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 114.6 | 3.7 | 3.7 | ||
2019 | Year2 | 109.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 119.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | ||
2018 | 1st quarter | 105.0 | -1.1 | 1.4 | 112.3 | -0.2 | 3.7 | ||
2nd quarter | 107.0 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 114.3 | 1.8 | 3.8 | |||
3rd quarter | 108.2 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 115.5 | 1.0 | 4.2 | |||
4th quarter | 108.2 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 116.2 | 0.6 | 3.2 | |||
2019 | 1st quarter | 109.4 | 1.1 | 4.2 | 118.8 | 2.3 | 5.8 | ||
2nd quarter | 109.4 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 118.4 | -0.3 | 3.6 | |||
3rd quarter | 110.1 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 120.2 | 1.5 | 4.1 | |||
4th quarter2 | 109.6 | -0.5 | 1.2 | 120.3 | 0.1 | 3.6 | |||
2018 | July | 107.2 | -0.5 | 2.6 | 114.4 | -0.4 | 2.9 | ||
August | 107.8 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 115.2 | 0.7 | 3.8 | |||
September | 109.5 | 1.6 | 5.4 | 117.0 | 1.6 | 6.0 | |||
October | 108.4 | -1.1 | 3.4 | 115.8 | -1.0 | 4.3 | |||
November | 108.4 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 116.4 | 0.5 | 1.7 | |||
December | 107.9 | -0.5 | 2.3 | 116.3 | -0.1 | 3.8 | |||
2019 | January | 108.1 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 117.1 | 0.7 | 4.0 | ||
February | 110.2 | 2.0 | 4.2 | 119.2 | 1.8 | 5.7 | |||
March | 109.9 | -0.3 | 6.2 | 120.2 | 0.8 | 7.8 | |||
April | 111.5 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 120.2 | 0.0 | 6.2 | |||
May | 109.0 | -2.2 | 1.5 | 118.1 | -1.7 | 2.8 | |||
June | 107.8 | -1.1 | 0.0 | 117.0 | -1.0 | 1.8 | |||
July | 109.0 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 119.0 | 1.7 | 4.0 | |||
August | 109.6 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 119.7 | 0.6 | 3.9 | |||
September | 111.6 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 122.0 | 1.9 | 4.3 | |||
October | 109.5 | -1.8 | 1.0 | 120.1 | -1.6 | 3.7 | |||
November | 108.1 | -1.3 | -0.3 | 118.8 | -1.1 | 2.0 | |||
December2 | 111.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 122.1 | 2.8 | 5.0 | |||
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to December 2019 | |||||||||
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 Businesses2 - Provisional Results December 2019 | |||||||
Base Year: 2015=100 | |||||||
December 2019 | |||||||
Retail Business - NACE REV 2 | Value of Sales | Volume of Sales | |||||
Index | Monthly % change | Annual % change | Index | Monthly % change | Annual % change | ||
Motor Trades | 129.9 | 7.3 | 13.5 | 132.1 | 5.3 | 11.4 | |
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) | 115.1 | -0.7 | 2.5 | 120.6 | -1.2 | 2.7 | |
Department Stores | 91.9 | 0.1 | -1.0 | 107.3 | 0.1 | 1.7 | |
Food, Beverages & Tobacco | 106.4 | 9.8 | 6.7 | 117.0 | 11.7 | 7.7 | |
Fuel | 113.6 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 106.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | 107.3 | -1.4 | 0.0 | 120.7 | -1.6 | 1.6 | |
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | 108.0 | -2.0 | 2.9 | 119.0 | -1.8 | 4.5 | |
Furniture & Lighting | 134.6 | 0.5 | 5.7 | 166.1 | 0.8 | 10.9 | |
Hardware, Paints & Glass | 126.3 | 2.1 | 7.2 | 137.4 | 1.8 | 7.9 | |
Electrical Goods | 117.3 | 1.6 | 14.0 | 187.5 | 4.4 | 23.0 | |
Books, Newspapers & Stationery | 104.6 | -0.3 | 1.8 | 100.9 | -3.0 | -0.1 | |
Other Retail Sales | 98.8 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 91.7 | -10.0 | 2.7 | |
Bars | 109.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 101.8 | 0.3 | -1.5 | |
All Businesses | 114.7 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 124.2 | 3.6 | 5.8 | |
Combined Groups | |||||||
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades | 111.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 122.1 | 2.8 | 5.0 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars | 111.4 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 123.5 | 2.7 | 5.4 | |
Motors & Fuel | 128.1 | 7.3 | 11.4 | 127.7 | 2.9 | 9.2 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars | 111.2 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 124.8 | 3.0 | 5.6 | |
Food Businesses | 114.2 | 0.4 | 3.0 | 120.5 | 0.0 | 3.3 | |
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars) | 107.3 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 126.4 | 2.2 | 6.6 | |
Household Equipment | 126.9 | 4.5 | 10.2 | 174.9 | 7.2 | 18.1 | |
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods | 99.0 | 6.1 | 1.0 | 102.5 | 5.1 | 2.9 | |
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to December 2019, individual series are independently adjusted | |||||||
2See Background Notes for further detail |
Table 4 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses2 - Final Results November 2019 | |||||||
Base Year: 2015=100 | |||||||
November 2019 | |||||||
Retail Business - NACE REV 2 | Value of Sales | Volume of Sales | |||||
Index | Monthly % change | Annual % change | Index | Monthly % change | Annual % change | ||
Motor Trades | 121.1 | -2.7 | 2.1 | 125.4 | -3.2 | 1.0 | |
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) | 115.9 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 122.1 | 0.9 | 4.4 | |
Department Stores | 91.9 | 1.4 | -9.1 | 107.3 | 1.0 | -6.6 | |
Food, Beverages & Tobacco | 96.9 | -4.4 | -1.9 | 104.7 | -6.5 | -0.5 | |
Fuel | 108.9 | 0.2 | -2.8 | 105.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | 108.8 | -2.2 | 2.6 | 122.7 | -9.1 | 4.8 | |
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | 110.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 121.2 | 0.8 | 4.4 | |
Furniture & Lighting | 133.8 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 164.9 | 1.1 | 7.3 | |
Hardware, Paints & Glass | 123.7 | -0.6 | 7.0 | 134.9 | -0.3 | 7.9 | |
Electrical Goods | 115.4 | -0.9 | -8.6 | 179.6 | 1.2 | -1.2 | |
Books, Newspapers & Stationery | 104.9 | -3.6 | -0.3 | 104.0 | -1.1 | -1.8 | |
Other Retail Sales | 93.7 | 3.3 | -6.3 | 101.8 | -5.5 | 0.7 | |
Bars | 109.2 | 1.9 | -1.1 | 101.6 | 3.6 | -2.8 | |
All Businesses | 111.0 | -2.2 | 0.6 | 119.9 | -2.8 | 1.9 | |
Combined Groups | |||||||
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades | 108.1 | -1.3 | -0.3 | 118.8 | -1.1 | 2.0 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars | 108.2 | -1.5 | -0.2 | 120.2 | -1.2 | 2.2 | |
Motors & Fuel | 119.4 | -1.9 | 1.4 | 124.1 | -3.3 | 1.3 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars | 108.1 | -1.6 | 0.0 | 121.2 | -1.3 | 2.5 | |
Food Businesses | 113.7 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 120.4 | 0.3 | 4.1 | |
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars) | 105.7 | -1.4 | -1.8 | 123.7 | -1.4 | 2.0 | |
Household Equipment | 121.5 | -0.1 | -2.1 | 163.2 | 0.2 | 2.5 | |
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods | 93.3 | -0.4 | -5.5 | 97.6 | 2.9 | -0.1 | |
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to December 2019, individual series are independently adjusted | |||||||
2See Background Notes for further detail |
Table 5 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses2 - 3 Monthly Provisional Estimates | |||||||
(Provisional Estimates) | Base Year: 2015=100 | ||||||
October 2019 - December 2019 | |||||||
Retail Business - NACE REV 2 | Value of Sales | Volume of Sales | |||||
Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | Index | % change on previous period | Annual % change | ||
Motor Trades | 125.6 | 11.6 | 7.1 | 129.3 | 11.5 | 5.7 | |
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. supermarkets) | 115.2 | -0.2 | 3.0 | 121.2 | -0.1 | 3.6 | |
Department Stores | 91.5 | 1.1 | -5.5 | 106.9 | 1.5 | -2.7 | |
Food, Beverages & Tobacco | 101.9 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 111.7 | 1.1 | 3.4 | |
Fuel | 110.7 | -0.8 | -1.8 | 105.2 | -1.0 | -0.4 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | 108.9 | -0.8 | 1.6 | 125.7 | 1.7 | 3.9 | |
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | 108.7 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 120.1 | 3.4 | 4.4 | |
Furniture & Lighting | 133.5 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 164.8 | 3.3 | 7.7 | |
Hardware, Paints & Glass | 124.9 | 0.4 | 5.8 | 135.9 | 0.3 | 6.6 | |
Electrical Goods | 116.5 | 1.9 | 3.2 | 182.0 | 5.1 | 11.8 | |
Books, Newspapers & Stationery | 106.0 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 103.2 | 2.9 | 0.1 | |
Other Retail Sales | 94.7 | -6.1 | -2.8 | 99.7 | -11.7 | 3.0 | |
Bars | 108.6 | 1.2 | -0.4 | 100.6 | 0.6 | -2.1 | |
All Businesses | 113.2 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 122.6 | 3.8 | 4.0 | |
Combined Groups | |||||||
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades | 109.7 | -0.4 | 1.4 | 120.5 | 0.1 | 3.7 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars | 109.9 | -0.5 | 1.5 | 122.0 | 0.1 | 4.0 | |
Motors & Fuel | 123.4 | 10.6 | 5.7 | 126.8 | 11.8 | 5.0 | |
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars | 109.8 | -0.7 | 1.7 | 123.1 | 0.3 | 4.3 | |
Food Businesses | 113.8 | -0.1 | 2.9 | 120.3 | 0.2 | 3.6 | |
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars) | 106.8 | -0.5 | 0.8 | 125.3 | 0.5 | 4.7 | |
Household Equipment | 123.7 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 167.5 | 5.0 | 10.3 | |
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods | 95.6 | -5.4 | -2.1 | 98.6 | -9.9 | 2.0 | |
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to December 2019, individual series are independently adjusted | |||||||
2See Background Notes for further detail |
Table 6 Percentage of Turnover generated by Online Sales for Total Retail Sales | |||
Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined | |||
Period | % sales online | ||
2019 | Year1 | 3.3 | |
2019 | 1st quarter | 2.9 | |
2nd quarter | 3.1 | ||
3rd quarter | 3.3 | ||
4th quarter1 | 3.8 | ||
2018 | November | 3.6 | |
December | 3.3 | ||
2019 | January | 2.8 | |
February | 3.0 | ||
March | 3.0 | ||
April | 3.0 | ||
May | 2.9 | ||
June | 3.4 | ||
July | 3.4 | ||
August | 3.2 | ||
September | 3.2 | ||
October | 3.4 | ||
November | 4.0 | ||
December1 | 4.1 | ||
1Provisional based on early returns from sample retailers |
Table 7 Percentage of Turnover generated by Online Sales for 13 Retail Businesses1 - Provisional Results December 2019 2 | |||||
December 2018 | November 2019 | December 2019 | |||
Retail Business - NACE REV 2 | % Sales Online | % Sales Online | % Sales Online | ||
Motor Trades | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.5 | ||
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.9 | ||
Department Stores | 4.6 | 5.7 | 5.0 | ||
Food, Beverages & Tobacco | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.5 | ||
Fuel | * | * | * | ||
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | * | * | * | ||
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | 5.4 | 8.0 | 7.3 | ||
Furniture & Lighting | * | * | * | ||
Hardware, Paints & Glass | * | * | * | ||
Electrical Goods | 9.0 | 10.5 | 13.0 | ||
Books, Newspapers & Stationery | * | * | * | ||
Other Retail Sales | 2.8 | 5.1 | 4.4 | ||
Online or Mail Order | 84.0 | 87.1 | 87.5 | ||
Bars | * | * | * | ||
All Businesses | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.1 | ||
Combined Groups | |||||
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades | 5.0 | 5.9 | 5.9 | ||
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars | 5.6 | 6.6 | 6.6 | ||
Food Businesses | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | ||
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars) | 8.9 | 10.7 | 10.6 | ||
Household Equipment | 5.8 | 7.4 | 8.3 | ||
Books, Newspapers, Stationery, Other Goods and Online | 21.3 | 23.5 | 23.3 | ||
1See Background Notes for further detail | |||||
2Provisional based on early returns from sample retailers | |||||
*Data supressed for confidentiality reasons |
An updated Retail Sales Index (RSI) has been introduced in the January 2018 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.
The November 2019 period covers the 4 weeks from 27/10/19 to 23/11/19 and the December 2019 period covers the 5 weeks from 24/11/19 to 28/12/19.
This set of monthly retail sales indices has been compiled with reference to base year 2015=100. The underlying structural weighting system is mainly based on the 2015 Annual Services Inquiry. Weights are updated from year to year using ratios of average weekly turnover by size class within business type.
The Retail Sales Index covers, on a matched 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 exclusively online retailers, hawkers, street stalls, and other retailing activities not conducted from permanent business premises. The RSI does include internet/online sales of enterprises which have a presence in Ireland but these sales are included under the primary activity of the enterprise, e.g. online grocery sales are included in Non Specialised Stores. The statistical unit used for reporting sales figures in this inquiry is the enterprise (i.e. complete business covering all branches).
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 2015 Annual Services Inquiry classified by 13 retail business categories and four turnover (excluding VAT) ranges. The following NACE Rev.2 categories apply:
For a full NACE Rev2 breakdown of the above categories see attached link to the Retail Sales Index Methodological Documents.
The value indices are calculated by updating the aggregate 2015 retail turnover (including VAT) of these enterprises in these cells using the monthly retail sales data provided by the enterprise respondent panel from 2015 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).
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 2010 to the current period.
The adjustments are completed by applying the X-13-ARIMA model, developed by the U.S. Census Bureau, to the unadjusted data. For additional information on the use of X-13ARIMA-SEATS 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 http://www.census.gov/srd/www/x13as/.
This methodology estimates seasonal factors while also taking into consideration factors that impact on the quality of the seasonal adjustment, such as:
The rebasing of the series is in line with EU recommendations to update the base reference periods at regular five-year intervals. This new series replaces the existing series to base year 2010 as 100.
The difference in the new rebased RSI series is the use of new cell and sector baseweights taken from the ASI 2015. The existing cell structure/breakdown was maintained in this series.
The new baseweights are updated each month using changes to respondents’ monthly turnover. The rebase also includes the reclassification of enterprises based on their current product profile.
Detail of the methodology used in the RSI are available on Methodological Documents page.
Online Sales
The collection of data for online turnover began in November 2018. Enterprises in the sample provide the value of their online turnover for the reporting period. As for all of the survey only Enterprises registered in Ireland are included. From the Annual Services Inquiry (2017) the Online and Mail Order Sector (G4791) registered in Ireland is estimated at 1.0% of all Retail Businesses. A fixed base weight is used from the Annual Services Inquiry (2017).
Reference
A detailed description of the Retail Sales Index is available on the Retail Sales Index page. Retrospective details for the current and previous series are also available on the CSO website.
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