In December 2023, the volume of Retail Sales increased by 0.9% in the month and was up by 3.9% in the 12 months from December 2022.
Excluding Motor Trades, the volume of Retail Sales rose by 0.3% in the month and by 1.8% in the year when compared with December 2022.
The highest monthly volume increases were recorded in Motor Trades (+5.2%), Other Retail Sales (+2.7%), Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (+2.1%), and Department Stores (+1.9%).
Three sectors showed monthly volume decreases: Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-2.8%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-1.4%), and Furniture & Lighting (-0.8%).
The largest annual volume growth in December 2023 was in Motor Trades (+12.9%), Other Retail Sales (+12.3%), and Furniture & Lighting (+10.5%).
Sectors showing annual volume declines in December 2023 were Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-8.9%), Department Stores (-8.2%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-6.0%), and Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (-0.7%).
The value of Retail Sales was up by 2.1% in the month and rose by 6.9% in the 12 months since December 2022.
The proportion of Retail Sales transacted online (from Irish registered companies) was 5.8% in December 2023 compared with 5.7% in November 2023 and 6.3% in December 2022.
The December (Provisional) period covers the five weeks from 26/11/23 to 30/12/23, while the November (Final) period covers the four weeks from 29/10/23 to 25/11/23.
The headline table shows the seasonally adjusted value and volume indices for the Retail Sales Index. It also highlights the monthly and annual percentage changes in both value and volume. Value represents turnover or total expenditure whereas volume strips out the impact of price changes to reflect quantity sold.
| Seasonally Adjusted Retail Sales Index - All Businesses | ||
| Base Year 2015 = 100 | ||
| Volume Index | Value Index | |
| December 2022 | 126.0 | 131.5 |
| November 2023 | 129.8 | 137.7 |
| December 2023 | 130.9 | 140.6 |
| % change | ||
| Monthly | 0.9% | 2.1% |
| Annual | 3.9% | 6.9% |
In December 2023, the volume of Retail Sales for all businesses rose by 0.9% in the month and was up by 3.9% in the year since December 2022. Excluding Motor Trades there was a monthly volume increase of 0.3% in December 2023, while on an annual basis, retail volumes were 1.8% higher.
In December 2023, the largest monthly volume increases were recorded in Motor Trades (+5.2%), Other Retail Sales (+2.7%), and Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (+2.1%). Monthly volume decreases were seen in Books, Newspaper & Stationery (-2.8%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-1.4%), and Furniture & Lighting (-0.8%).
| X-axis label | Monthly percentage change |
|---|---|
| All Businesses | 0.9 |
| Motor Trades | 5.2 |
| Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) | 0.4 |
| Department Stores | 1.9 |
| Food, Beverages & Tobacco | -1.4 |
| Fuel | 0.9 |
| Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | 0.4 |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | 2.1 |
| Furniture & Lighting | -0.8 |
| Hardware, Paints & Glass | 0.9 |
| Electrical Goods | 1.4 |
| Books, Newspapers & Stationery | -2.8 |
| Other Retail Sales | 2.7 |
| Bars | 1.3 |
The largest annual volume growth was in Motor Trades (+12.9%), Other Retail Sales (+12.3%), and Furniture & Lighting (+10.5%). Annual volume declines were recorded in Books, Newspaper & Stationery (-8.9%), Department Stores (-8.2%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-6.0%), and Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (-0.7%).
| X-axis label | Annual percentage change |
|---|---|
| All Businesses | 3.9 |
| Motor Trades | 12.9 |
| Non-Specialised Stores (incl. Supermarkets) | 0.3 |
| Department Stores | -8.2 |
| Food, Beverages & Tobacco | -6 |
| Fuel | 5 |
| Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles | 3.6 |
| Clothing, Footwear & Textiles | -0.7 |
| Furniture & Lighting | 10.5 |
| Hardware, Paints & Glass | 2.6 |
| Electrical Goods | 4.4 |
| Books, Newspapers & Stationery | -8.9 |
| Other Retail Sales | 12.3 |
| Bars | 1 |
Table 4 relates to final results for November 2023, while Table 5 presents a rolling three-month provisional average.
The proportion of Retail Sales transacted online (from Irish registered companies) was 5.8% in December 2023 compared with 5.7% in November 2023 and 6.3% in December 2022. Excluding Motor Trades, the proportion of Retail Sales transacted online in December 2023 was 6.2% compared with 7.4% in November 2023 and 7.2% in December 2022.
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Statistician's Comment
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (29 January 2024) released Retail Sales Index December 2023 (Provisional) and November 2023 (Final).
Commenting on the release, Stephanie Kelleher, Statistician in the Business Statistics Division, said: "The volume of Retail Sales rose by 0.9% in December 2023 when compared with November 2023 on a seasonally adjusted basis. On an annual basis, retail volumes were 3.9% higher than in December 2022. When Motor Trades are excluded, the volume of Retail Sales increased by 0.3% in the month and rose by 1.8% in the year when compared with December 2022 (See Headline Table, Tables 1 & 2, and Figure 1).
Monthly Changes
The highest monthly volume increases were recorded in Motor Trades (+5.2%), Other Retail Sales (+2.7%), Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (+2.1%), and Department Stores (+1.9%).
Three sectors showed monthly volume decreases: Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-2.8%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-1.4%), and Furniture & Lighting (-0.8%) (See Table 3 and Background Notes).
Annual Changes
The largest annual volume growth in December 2023 was in Motor Trades (+12.9%), Other Retail Sales (+12.3%), and Furniture & Lighting (+10.5%).
Sectors showing annual volume declines in December 2023 were Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-8.9%), Department Stores (-8.2%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-6.0%), and Clothing, Footwear & Textiles (-0.7%) (See Table 3).
Value of Retail Sales
The value of Retail Sales was 2.1% higher in December 2023 than in November 2023 and was up by 6.9% when compared with a year earlier. Excluding Motor Trades, the value of Retail Sales rose by 0.8% in the month and by 4.6% on an annual basis (See Tables 1 & 2)."