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For more information on this release:
E-mail: sts_rap@cso.ie Marion McCann (+353) 21 453 5611 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

March 2014 (Provisional) February 2014 (Final)

Seasonally Adjusted Retail Sales Index-All Businesses
 (Base Year 2005 = 100)
     Volume IndexValue Index
March 201390.085.6
February 201496.389.8
March 201497.991.1
Monthly % change1.71.4
Annual % change8.96.4

Retail Sales Volume increased by 1.7% in March 2014

Retail Sales Index - Seasonally Adjusted Volume
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The  volume of retail sales (i.e. excluding price effects) in March 2014 increased by 1.7% when compared with February 2014 and there was an increase of 8.9% in the annual figure. (See Table 1). If Motor Trades are excluded there was a decrease of 1.1% in the volume of retail sales in March 2014 when compared with February 2014 and there was an increase of 2.2% in the annual figure. (See Table 2).

The sectors with the largest month on month volume increases were Motor Trades (+6.5%), Furniture and Lighting (+4.4%) and Department Stores (+2.0%). The sectors with the largest monthly decreases were Hardware, Paints & Glass (-3.5%), Non-Specialised Stores (-1.1%) and Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles (-1.0%). (See Table 3).

There was an increase of 1.4% in the value of retail sales in March 2014 when compared with February 2014 and there was an annual increase of 6.4% when compared with March 2013. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was a monthly decrease of 1.5% in the value of retail sales and an annual decrease of 0.1%.  

Business SectorsAnnualMonthly
All Businesses8.91.7
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades2.2-1.1
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars2.4-0.7
Motors & Fuel27.26.3
All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars1.9-0.7
Food Businesses-0.1-1.3
Non-Food (excl. Motor trades, Fuel & bars)50.8
Household Equipment9.20.4
Books, Newspapers Stationery & other Goods4.71.1
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
          
2010Year 89.1-2.0-2.0 93.91.41.4
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
          
20132nd quarter 86.30.5-0.9 90.40.3-0.4
 3rd quarter 89.03.11.6 94.34.32.8
 4th quarter 89.00.00.0 94.90.61.7
        
20141st quarter2 90.71.95.6 97.32.67.9
          
2012October 90.52.33.6 95.02.73.2
 November 88.4-2.30.1 92.7-2.4-0.1
 December 88.2-0.3-0.8 92.5-0.2-1.0
        
2013January 84.9-3.7-1.8 89.1-3.7-1.8
 February 87.12.70.3 91.62.80.4
 March 85.6-1.8-2.8 90.0-1.8-2.2
 April 86.20.7-1.3 90.60.7-0.5
 May 86.30.2-1.3 91.20.7-0.2
 June 86.40.1-0.3 89.7-1.7-0.5
 July 90.24.44.3 95.36.34.7
 August 88.3-2.20.8 93.6-1.82.3
 September 88.60.40.2 94.10.51.8
 October 88.5-0.1-2.2 93.9-0.2-1.1
 November 88.80.40.5 94.70.82.2
 December 89.50.81.6 95.81.13.5
          
2014January  91.21.87.4 97.51.89.5
 February 89.8-1.53.0 96.3-1.25.2
 March2 91.11.46.4 97.91.78.9
   
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to March 2014    
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
          
2010Year 97.8-4.2-4.2 103.0-1.1-1.1
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
          
20131st quarter 95.8-1.10.5 99.3-1.40.5
 2nd quarter 95.4-0.50.0 99.60.30.6
 3rd quarter 96.00.7-0.3 100.50.90.7
 4th quarter 96.40.4-0.5 101.81.31.1
          
20141st quarter2 96.3-0.10.5 101.80.12.6
          
2012October 98.41.44.0 102.11.63.6
 November 96.3-2.10.4 99.9-2.10.0
 December 96.2-0.10.9 100.20.30.8
        
2013January 95.9-0.30.7 99.3-0.80.6
 February 96.20.41.5 99.70.31.2
 March 95.5-0.7-0.5 99.0-0.7-0.2
 April 94.7-0.8-1.0 98.9-0.1-0.2
 May 95.71.0-0.9 99.80.90.1
 June 95.6-0.21.5 100.00.21.5
 July 96.91.41.7 100.70.71.4
 August 96.0-1.0-0.4 100.6-0.11.1
 September 95.4-0.6-1.7 100.2-0.4-0.2
 October 95.80.4-2.7 100.30.1-1.8
 November 96.30.5-0.1 101.51.21.6
 December 97.10.91.0 103.21.63.0
          
2014January 97.10.01.3 102.4-0.73.1
 February 96.8-0.30.6 102.2-0.22.6
 March2 95.4-1.5-0.1 101.1-1.12.2
   
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to March 2014    
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
 March 2014
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  Monthly % changeAnnual % change  Monthly % changeAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 69.76.529.2 78.26.531.2
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 120.1-1.4-0.5 117.8-1.10.5
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 83.51.5-1.5 113.02.02.1
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco82.5-0.8-7.2 79.9-0.6-7.0
        
 Fuel111.9-0.53.3 80.10.57.3
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles97.5-0.3-0.0 106.0-1.01.0
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles80.80.83.8 117.21.37.8
        
 Furniture & Lighting55.93.210.5 86.74.418.4
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass71.4-4.03.6 76.8-3.55.3
        
 Electrical Goods76.80.90.5 155.91.37.2
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.90.44.6 55.70.23.2
        
 Other Retail Sales73.90.4-1.3 95.51.04.3
        
 Bars 73.4-0.42.3 63.40.3-0.3
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades95.4-1.5-0.1 101.1-1.12.2
        
 All Businesses 91.11.46.4 97.91.78.9
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars98.7-0.80.0 106.3-0.72.4
        
 Motors & Fuel81.05.622.9 80.66.327.2
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars97.3-1.0-0.5 108.8-0.71.9
        
 Food Businesses116.9-1.4-0.9 114.2-1.3-0.1
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)78.80.50.8 104.70.85.0
        
 Household Equipment71.70.34.3 112.60.49.2
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods72.00.6-1.0 88.41.14.7
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to March 2014, 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
 February 2014
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  Monthly % changeAnnual % change  Monthly % changeAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 65.5-4.513.0 73.5-5.015.0
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 121.8-0.31.4 119.2-0.12.3
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 82.3-1.6-1.2 110.9-0.91.7
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco83.2-1.5-5.1 80.3-1.4-4.7
        
 Fuel112.40.61.5 79.71.45.4
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles97.80.5-3.3 107.10.4-2.1
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles80.20.6-0.3 115.83.72.5
        
 Furniture & Lighting54.2-2.26.0 83.0-2.013.1
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass74.40.84.4 79.61.16.6
        
 Electrical Goods76.1-2.2-0.8 154.0-1.76.4
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.6-0.2-3.7 55.6-1.1-5.0
        
 Other Retail Sales73.60.1-1.8 94.6-0.24.3
        
 Bars 73.60.82.6 63.3-0.20.1
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades96.8-0.30.6 102.2-0.22.6
        
 All Businesses 89.8-1.53.0 96.3-1.25.2
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars99.5-0.60.3 107.1-0.32.7
        
 Motors & Fuel76.7-2.710.5 75.8-3.913.7
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars98.2-0.50.2 109.6-0.52.4
        
 Food Businesses118.6-0.21.1 115.7-0.21.8
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)78.5-0.7-0.7 103.9-0.43.4
        
 Household Equipment71.5-1.22.2 112.2-0.97.4
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods71.6-1.0-1.6 87.40.63.7
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to March 2014, 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
 January 2014 - March 2014
Retail Business - NACE REV 2Value of Sales Volume of Sales
        
  % change on previous periodAnnual % change  % change on previous periodAnnual % change
 Index Index
        
 Motor Trades2 68.15.723.5 76.56.325.6
        
 Non-Specialised Stores 121.30.50.8 118.71.01.8
 (excluding Department Stores)        
        
 Department Stores 83.2-3.30.7 112.0-2.43.9
        
 Food, Beverages & Tobacco83.3-3.7-5.1 80.5-3.2-4.9
        
 Fuel112.0-1.01.9 79.51.35.4
        
 Pharmaceuticals Medical & Cosmetic Articles97.6-1.5-2.0 106.5-1.4-0.9
        
 Clothing, Footwear & Textiles80.3-1.80.1 115.0-1.93.2
        
 Furniture & Lighting55.24.79.2 84.96.016.7
        
 Hardware, Paints & Glass73.0-0.73.7 78.3-0.45.6
        
 Electrical Goods76.9-1.10.7 155.60.07.5
        
 Books, Newspapers & Stationery62.7-2.1-1.2 55.8-3.4-2.4
        
 Other Retail Sales73.7-1.3-0.4 95.01.45.3
        
 Bars 73.3-1.62.3 63.4-2.7-0.2
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades96.3-0.10.5 101.80.12.6
        
 All Businesses 90.71.95.6 97.32.67.9
        
Of which:-       
    Combined Groups       
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades & Bars99.40.00.5 106.90.22.8
        
 Motors & Fuel79.07.018.3 78.69.322.1
        
 All Businesses excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars98.0-0.10.2 109.50.12.5
        
 Food Businesses118.00.20.5 115.20.61.3
        
 Non-Food (excl. Motor Trades, Fuel & Bars)78.8-0.40.3 104.30.54.3
        
 Household Equipment71.81.03.4 112.71.28.6
        
 Books, Newspapers Stationery & Other Goods72.0-1.2-0.7 87.60.14.6
        
1Based on Seasonal Patterns up to March 2014, 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 February 2014 period covers the 4 weeks from 26/01/14 to 22/02/14 and the March 2014 period covers the 5 weeks from 23/02/14 to 29/03/14.

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  www.cso.ie

Retrospective details for the current and previous series are also available on the CSO website.

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