Ireland's Retail Economy 2022

Retail Economy Key Variables

The Retail Economy generated turnover of €57.3 billion in 2020. More than two-thirds, €38.8 billion or 67.6% of this was created in Retail Trade (G47). Motor Trades (G45) generated turnover of €13.8 billion, representing almost one-quarter (24.2%) of the total, while Food & Beverage Service Activities (I56) generated the remaining €4.7 billion or 8.2%.

Almost €11.6 billion of Gross Value Added (GVA) was generated in the sector, with Retail Trade accounting for almost 70% (€8.1 billion), Food & Beverage Service Activities 16.7% (€1.9 billion), and Motor Trades generated the remaining 13.6% (€1.6 billion).

The Retail Economy had almost 48,500 active enterprises in 2020. Almost half of these enterprises (48.9%) operated in Retail Trade, almost one-third (31.7%) were engaged in Food & Beverage Service Activities, while the remaining 19.3% of enterprises were in Motor Trades.

There were almost 373,200 persons engaged in these three sectors with almost 225,000 in Retail Trade, more than 112,100 in Food & Beverage Service Activities and more than 36,100 engaged in Motor Trades.

Breakdown of Business Costs

The Retail Economy purchased €43.9 billion worth of goods and services in 2020. Purchases of Goods for resale accounted for the largest business cost at €37.7 billion or 73.5% of total costs, followed by Labour costs (Wages & salaries and Social security costs) at 14.2%.