Back to Top

 Skip navigation

Extra information
For more information on this release:
E-mail: business_stats@cso.ie Stephanie Kelleher (+353) 21 453 5123
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5295

This release has been compiled during the COVID-19 crisis. The results contained in this release reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation. For further information see Information note on the Implications of COVID - 19 on the Retail Sales Index June 2021

CSO statistical release, , 11am

Retail Sales Index

June 2021 (Provisional) May 2021 (Final)

Seasonally Adjusted Retail Sales Index - All Businesses
 (Base Year 2015 = 100)
    Volume IndexValue Index
June 2019118.3110.4
June 2020121.4109.8
May 2021129.9120.0
June 2021134.2125.0
% change  
Monthly3.3%4.2%
Annual10.6%13.9%
June 2019 - June 202113.4%13.2%

Volume of Retail Sales up 3.3% in June 2021

Figure 1: Retail Sales Index - Seasonally Adjusted Volume
go to full release

Retail sales increased by 3.3% in June 2021 when compared to May 2021 on a seasonally adjusted basis. On an annual basis, retail volumes were 10.6% higher than in June 2020. The retail sales figure for June 2021 was 13.4% higher when compared to two years earlier (June 2019).

The sectors with the highest annual volume increases were Bars (+184%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (+46.8%), Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (+42.6%) and Department Stores (+37.7%). While these annual increases are significant, caution should be exercised when interpreting these changes, as the comparison is with a low base from a year ago.

Non-essential retailers (using appropriate social distancing measures) were allowed re-open on 8th June last year, where access at street level was possible. Shopping Centres re-opened on the 15th June 2020. In June 2021 all retail was open, while bars were allowed trade outdoors for the entire month.

Compared to June 2019 (two years earlier and pre-COVID-19), the volume of retail sales in June 2021 was 13.4% higher. Several sectors showed significant changes compared to their corresponding level of sales in June 2019. Three sectors showed decreases, Bars (-48.0%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-10.7%) and Fuel (-4.4%). All other sectors had a volume of sales in June 2021 which exceeded June 2019 levels. The highest increases were seen in Other Retail Sales (+33.8%), Hardware, Paints & Glass (+28.1%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (+26.9%), Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (+24.4%) and Motor Trades (+22.6%). See Table 3a.

In June 2021, the largest monthly volume increases in sales were recorded in Bars (+553%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (+169%), Department Stores (+53.6%) and Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (+20.2%). The sectors which experienced decreases in the month were Electrical Goods (-3.7%), Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (-1.0%) and Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) (-0.2%). See Table 3.

When Motor Trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 8.4% in June over the previous month and increased by 9.8% when compared to June 2020. See Table 2.

The proportion of retail sales transacted online (from Irish registered companies) fell to 5.0% in June 2021, down from 5.6% of all retail sales in May 2021 and from 6.7% in June of last year. See Tables 6 & 7.

The value of retail sales was 4.2% higher in June 2021 than in May 2021. On an annual basis the value of retail sales was 13.9% higher than June 2020. Excluding Motor Trades, the value of retail sales increased by 10.0% in the month and increased by 12.1% on an annual basis. See Tables 1 & 2.

Unadjusted indices are available on CSO PxStat

NOTE: Table 4 data for the categories All Businesses and All Businesses excl. Motor Trades was amended on 17/08/2021. This was due to a technical error in previously published data where all All Businesses data actually related to All Businesses excl. Motor Trades and data for All Businesses excl. Motor Trades related to All Businesses. There was no change to Table 1 or 2.

Table 5 data for the category Other Retail Sales was amended on 26/08/21 as published data did not include the online portion of sales. This was due to a technical error. 

 

Business SectorsAnnual change
All Businesses10.56313
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades9.8343
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars7.89278
Motors & Fuel17.16863
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars7.19953
Food Businesses-1.07964
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & Bars)15.24097
Household Equipment-2.58856
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods8.38803
X-axis labelMonthly change
All Businesses3.32782600360216
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades8.39976165441192
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars9.34510212610106
Motors & Fuel1.89114366706945
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars5.65975695099253
Food Businesses-0.330998879117675
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & Bars)10.2451411607554
Household Equipment1.88461291900163
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods17.5601059855059
X-axis labelJune 2020 - June 2021June 2019 - June 2021
All Businesses10.613.4
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades9.813.8
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars7.917.7
Motors & Fuel17.217.8
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars7.218
Food Businesses-1.114.9
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & Bars)15.222.1
Household Equipment-2.617.1
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods8.428.7
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 periodAnnual % change Index% change on previous periodAnnual % change
2017Year 106.51.51.5 112.03.93.9
2018Year 109.42.72.7 116.23.83.8
2019Year110.51.01.0 118.62.12.1
2020Year105.1-4.9-4.9 115.9-2.3-2.3
         
20192nd quarter111.20.70.4 119.20.81.7
 3rd quarter108.5-2.5-1.2 117.2-1.70.2
 4th quarter 111.42.71.7 119.01.52.6
        
20201st quarter108.4-2.7-1.9 116.9-1.7-1.1
 2nd quarter 84.0-22.5-24.5 92.9-20.5-22.0
 3rd quarter 116.238.37.1 128.338.09.5
 4th quarter 110.6-4.8-0.7 122.9-4.23.3
         
20211st quarter 105.9-4.3-2.3 116.1-5.6-0.7
 2nd quarter2 120.713.943.7 129.911.939.8
          
2019June 110.4-0.5-1.3 118.3-0.2-0.3
 July 105.3-4.6-5.6 115.0-2.8-3.6
 August 108.83.40.4 117.21.91.6
 September 111.32.31.8 119.31.72.9
 October 111.50.21.5 119.40.12.8
 November 110.6-0.80.4 118.3-0.91.4
 December 112.11.33.3 119.20.83.8
        
2020January 112.10.05.6 119.80.55.3
 February  112.30.2-0.4 121.51.41.2
 March 100.7-10.3-10.5 109.3-10.1-9.5
 April 61.9-38.5-44.9 68.5-37.3-43.3
May 80.329.7-27.6 88.929.7-25.0
 June 109.836.8-0.6 121.436.62.6
 July 112.22.26.6 124.52.68.3
August115.22.75.9 127.02.08.3
September121.15.18.8 133.45.011.8
 October 115.4-4.73.5 128.2-3.97.4
 November 101.1-12.4-8.6 112.8-12.0-4.6
 December 115.414.23.0 127.813.27.1
       
2021January 94.1-18.4-16.0 102.3-20.0-14.7
 February 110.217.1-1.9 122.720.00.9
 March 113.42.912.6 123.30.512.8
April117.03.289.0 125.61.983.3
May120.02.649.5 129.93.446.2
June2125.04.213.9 134.23.310.6
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021
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 periodAnnual % change Index% change on previous periodAnnual % change
2017Year 104.73.53.5 110.55.85.8
2018Year 107.22.42.4 114.63.73.7
2019Year 109.72.32.3 119.64.44.4
2020Year 105.9-3.5-3.5 120.30.60.6
          
20192nd quarter 110.41.12.7 120.01.54.1
3rd quarter 109.5-0.81.5 120.20.14.1
 4th quarter 109.50.01.3 119.6-0.53.4
        
20201st quarter 108.8-0.6-0.4 119.60.01.1
 2nd quarter 93.7-13.9-15.2 106.0-11.4-11.7
 3rd quarter 112.420.02.7 129.021.87.4
 4th quarter 107.9-4.1-1.5 125.0-3.24.5
          
20211st quarter 100.3-7.0-7.8 114.4-8.5-4.3
 2nd quarter2 111.511.219.0 125.910.118.8
         
2019June 109.7-0.90.5 119.5-0.72.2
July 109.5-0.21.8 120.20.64.5
August 109.70.21.7 120.1-0.14.1
September 109.4-0.21.1 120.20.13.7
October 109.50.11.0 119.6-0.53.4
November 108.9-0.6-0.1 118.7-0.72.0
December 110.11.13.1 120.41.44.9
       
2020January 110.80.62.2 120.60.22.9
 February 109.5-1.1-0.4 120.0-0.50.8
 March 106.2-3.0-2.9 118.2-1.5-0.3
 April 81.5-23.2-26.4 90.6-23.4-24.7
 May 91.211.8-17.6 103.514.2-14.0
 June 108.318.8-1.3 123.819.63.6
 July 111.52.91.8 127.12.75.7
 August 112.30.72.4 128.20.96.8
 September 113.61.13.8 131.82.89.6
 October 113.4-0.13.6 131.1-0.59.6
November99.2-12.6-8.9 115.0-12.3-3.2
 December 111.112.00.9 128.912.17.0
       
2021January 95.2-14.3-14.0 108.6-15.7-10.0
 February 101.66.7-7.2 116.67.4-2.8
 March 104.12.5-2.0 118.01.3-0.1
April102.8-1.226.1 116.3-1.428.4
May110.37.221.0 125.47.821.2
June2121.410.012.1 136.08.49.8
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021
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 June 2021
   Base Year: 2015=100
 June 2021
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
 IndexMonthly % changeAnnual % change IndexMonthly % changeAnnual % change
Motor Trades147.81.522.5 144.21.217.9
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) 126.8-0.5-1.3 136.2-0.2-1.7
Department Stores 101.856.636.4 124.353.637.7
Food, Beverages & Tobacco118.82.64.9 132.72.16.2
Fuel105.26.928.5 99.45.817.6
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles132.021.218.1 153.220.220.0
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles118.4-0.142.3 137.8-1.042.6
Furniture & Lighting138.716.40.1 180.318.2-0.3
Hardware, Paints & Glass154.12.6-1.6 168.62.3-2.1
Electrical Goods118.0-2.9-4.8 191.8-3.7-4.7
Books, Newspapers & Stationery92.7161.546.6 93.2169.346.8
Other Retail Sales126.422.016.8 146.919.86.7
Bars 59.3540.5190.7 53.0553.1183.8
All Businesses 125.04.213.9 134.23.310.6
    Combined Groups       
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades121.410.012.1 136.08.49.8
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars122.95.39.5 141.99.37.9
Motors & Fuel140.52.322.4 137.11.917.2
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars123.46.78.4 140.55.77.2
Food Businesses125.0-0.3-0.8 133.2-0.3-1.1
Non-Food excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars124.217.318.1 153.710.215.2
Household Equipment137.34.4-2.1 188.91.9-2.6
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods124.325.419.1 141.117.68.4
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021, individual series are independently adjusted
2See Background Notes for further detail
Table 3a Percentage changes for Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses1, June 2019 - June 20212
  Base Year: 2015=100
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
 June 2019 - June 2021June 2020 - June 2021 June 2019 - June 2021June 2020 - June 2021
 (2 years)(1 year) (2 years)(1 year)
 %% %%
Motor Trades28.722.5 22.617.9
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) 12.6-1.3 14.2-1.7
Department Stores 11.036.4 17.637.7
Food, Beverages & Tobacco23.34.9 26.96.2
Fuel-2.628.5 -4.417.6
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles21.718.1 24.420.0
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles12.242.3 18.842.6
Furniture & Lighting5.40.1 11.7-0.3
Hardware, Paints & Glass26.9-1.6 28.1-2.1
Electrical Goods2.8-4.8 10.2-4.7
Books, Newspapers & Stationery-11.446.6 -10.746.8
Other Retail Sales26.916.8 33.86.7
Bars -46.0190.7 -48.0183.8
All Businesses 13.213.9 13.410.6
    Combined Groups    
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades10.612.1 13.89.8
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars14.19.5 17.77.9
Motors & Fuel23.022.4 17.817.2
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars14.68.4 18.07.2
Food Businesses13.6-0.8 14.9-1.1
Non-Food excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars16.418.1 22.115.2
Household Equipment12.8-2.1 17.1-2.6
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods22.819.1 28.78.4
1See Background Notes for further detail
2Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021, individual series are independently adjusted. June 2021 applies to provisional data only
Table 4 Seasonally Adjusted1 Value and Volume Indices of Retail Sales for 13 Retail Businesses2 - Final Results May 2021
   Base Year: 2015=100
 May 2021
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
 IndexMonthly % changeAnnual % change IndexMonthly % changeAnnual % change
Motor Trades145.62.7157.1 142.53.4147.9
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) 127.4-2.7-1.7 136.4-2.4-1.9
Department Stores 65.0168.157.4 80.9168.361.2
Food, Beverages & Tobacco115.7-5.83.1 130.0-6.74.3
Fuel98.4-0.749.9 93.9-0.639.0
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles108.9-3.99.9 127.4-2.813.8
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles118.4194.1439.6 139.2191.2451.3
Furniture & Lighting119.2-1.2182.8 152.5-2.2181.6
Hardware, Paints & Glass150.2-0.720.1 164.7-3.420.1
Electrical Goods121.52.537.4 199.12.138.3
Books, Newspapers & Stationery35.4-31.694.8 34.6-31.495.0
Other Retail Sales103.6-0.015.0 122.6-1.35.6
Bars 9.3-22.0-1.1 8.1-33.3-4.5
All Businesses 120.02.649.5 129.93.446.2
    Combined Groups       
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades110.37.221.0 125.47.821.2
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars116.74.720.9 129.73.721.0
Motors & Fuel137.43.8141.5 134.63.9132.4
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars115.72.419.8 133.04.320.8
Food Businesses125.4-4.5-1.4 133.7-4.7-1.4
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)105.817.853.0 139.424.553.1
Household Equipment131.5-2.942.6 185.4-0.345.5
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods99.1-0.818.0 120.1-1.28.1
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021, 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
 April 2021 - June 2021
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
 Index% change on previous periodAnnual % change Index% change on previous periodAnnual % change
Motor Trades145.334.7105.5 141.729.897.7
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. supermarkets) 128.20.5-0.2 137.40.8-0.4
Department Stores 66.637.539.8 82.036.642.2
Food, Beverages & Tobacco119.12.35.7 133.92.57.0
Fuel101.216.248.0 96.213.937.1
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles119.29.515.7 138.59.518.3
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles94.4159.9111.3 110.5160.5113.8
Furniture & Lighting127.120.178.4 164.221.377.3
Hardware, Paints & Glass152.0-1.028.9 168.00.129.9
Electrical Goods119.2-9.924.1 195.1-9.624.9
Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.513.063.3 62.014.763.0
Other Retail Sales112.38.930.6 132.46.821.4
Bars 29.3201.0122.1 26.6208.1115.2
All Businesses 120.713.943.7 129.911.939.8
    Combined Groups       
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades111.511.219.0 125.910.118.8
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars117.59.017.8 132.99.017.4
Motors & Fuel137.121.997.5 134.019.689.5
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars117.87.916.5 134.26.416.6
Food Businesses127.11.20.2 135.50.80.2
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)108.016.039.0 136.419.938.0
Household Equipment134.92.935.9 186.92.435.5
Books, Newspapers, Stationery & Other Goods109.113.033.0 128.69.823.8
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to June 2021, individual series are independently adjusted
2See Background Notes for further detail
Table 6 Percentage of Turnover generated by Online Sales1 for Total Retail Sales
  Total Retail Sales for all Businesses Combined
Period  % sales online
2019Year 3.3
2020Year 7.0
    
20191st quarter2.9
 2nd quarter3.1
 3rd quarter3.3
 4th quarter3.8
    
20201st quarter3.7
 2nd quarter11.7
 3rd quarter4.5
 4th quarter8.1
    
20211st quarter 11.4
 2nd quarter2 6.9
    
2019January 2.8
 February 3.0
 March 3.0
 April3.0
 May2.9
 June3.4
 July3.4
 August3.2
September3.2
October 3.4
November 4.0
December4.1
    
2020January3.2
 February 3.5
 March4.5
 April15.3
 May13.2
 June6.7
 July 4.6
 August 4.5
 September 4.5
 October 6.1
 November 12.4
 December 5.8
    
2021January 11.0
 February 11.8
 March 11.1
 April 10.1
 May 5.6
 June2 5.0
1Only enterprises registered in Ireland are included
2Provisional subject to revision
Table 7 Percentage of Turnover generated by Online Sales for 13 Retail Businesses1 - Provisional Results June 20212
 June 2020 May 2021 June 2021
Retail Business - NACE REV 2% Sales Online % Sales Online % Sales Online
Motor Trades3.1 2.9 2.3
Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) 2.4 2.4 3.1
Department Stores 12.3 10.6 7.5
Food, Beverages & Tobacco6.2 3.7 3.7
Fuel* * *
Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles* * *
Clothing, Footwear & Textiles16.4 11.5 8.6
Furniture & Lighting *  * *
Hardware, Paints & Glass* * *
Electrical Goods16.9 16.9 14.8
Books, Newspapers & Stationery* * *
Other Retail Sales10.9 8.1 7.2
Online or Mail Order86.4 89.4 82.4
Bars * * *
All Businesses 6.7 5.6 5.0
    Combined Groups     
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades8.1 6.7 6.1
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars8.6 7.4 6.8
Food Businesses2.8 2.5 3.2
Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)13.4 11.5 9.8
Household Equipment10.4 9.5 8.6
Books, Newspapers, Stationery, Other Goods and Online21.7 19.5 18.1
1See Background Notes for further detail
2Provisional based on early returns from sample retailers
*Confidential

Background Notes

Retail Sales Index

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.

Reference Period

The May period covers the 4 weeks from 02/05/21 to 29/05/21 and the June period covers the 5 weeks from 30/05/21 to 03/07/21.

Base Year

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.

Scope and Coverage

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 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).  Online retailers not registered in Ireland but selling to Irish Residents are not within the scope of the Irish RSI. 

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 2015 Annual Services Inquiry classified by 13 retail business categories and four turnover (excluding VAT) ranges. The following NACE Rev.2 categories apply:

  • Motor Trades - Sale, maintenance and repair of new and second-hand vehicles and motorcycles (NACE 45)
  • Non-Specialised Stores - Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating - mainly supermarkets (NACE 47.11)
  • Department Stores -  Retail sale of a large variety of goods of which food products, beverages or tobacco are not predominant activities of the department stores. Retail sale of a general line of merchandise, including wearing apparel, furniture, appliances, hardware, cosmetics, jewellery, toys, sports goods, etc. (NACE 47.19)
  • Food, Beverages & Tobacco -  Retail sale of fruit and vegetables, meat and meat products, fish, crustaceans and molluscs, bread, cakes, flour and sugar confectionery, and beverages in specialised stores (NACE 47.2)
  • Fuel - Retail sale of fuel and lubricating products and cooling products for motor vehicles and motorcycles. Excludes wholesale of fuels (NACE 47.3)
  • Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles - Retail sale of pharmaceuticals, medical and orthopaedic goods, cosmetic and toilet articles in specialised stores (NACE 47.73 - 75)
  • Clothing, Footwear & Textiles – Retail sale of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods in specialised stores (NACE 47.51, 47.71 – 72)
  • Furniture & Lighting - Retail sale of furniture, lighting equipment and other household articles in specialised stores (NACE 47.59)
  • Hardware, Paints & Glass - Retail sale of hardware, paints and glass in specialised stores (NACE 47.52)
  • Electrical Goods – Retail sale of information and communication equipment, computers, peripheral units and software, telecommunications equipment, audio and video equipment and electrical household appliances in specialised stores (NACE 47.41-43, 47.54)
  • Books, Newspapers & Stationery – Retail sale of books excluding second-hand or antique books, retail sale of office supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, etc. (NACE 47.61 -.62)
  • Other Retail Sales – Retail sale of carpets, rugs, wall and floor coverings, music and video recordings, games and toys, flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, pet animals and pet food, jewellery, and other new goods in specialised stores. The retail sale activities via mail order or via Internet (NACE 47.53, 47.63-65, 47.76-8, 47.91)
  • Bars – Preparation and serving of beverages for immediate consumption on the premises (NACE 56.3)

 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).

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. A consequence of the direct seasonal adjustment is that there can be a loss of additivity in the 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:

  • 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
  • Outliers, temporary changes, and level shifts in the series
  • Seasonal breaks e.g. the introduction of the new number plate system in the Motor Trade sector which occurred in July 2013.  
Note: The Motor Trade group comprises all retail motor trade activities, of which new car sales accounts for approximately 70% of turnover.
 
COVID-19 note
Seasonally adjusting the Retail Sales Index will be challenging until the scale and shape of the impact of COVID-19 on the time series is better understood.  Each month the outliers are reviewed and updated as required. Users should be aware that further observations, as data becomes available in the months ahead, and revisions to the seasonal adjustment models may result in revisions to the seasonal adjusted series.
 
 Rebase 2015

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.

upArrowHide Background Notes

Scan the QR code below to view this release online or go to
http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/rsi/retailsalesindexjune2021/