New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the volume of retail sales slowed by 0.4% in September when compared with August on a seasonally adjusted basis.
The CSO said that on an annual basis, retail volumes were 2.9% higher than in September of last year.
The CSO noted the fuel sector saw a monthly volume decline of 0.8% in September, but rose by 1.6% on an annual basis on September 2025.
In value terms, fuel increased by 2.7% in the month and by 11.3% in the year, which the CSO said was evidence of the continuing impact of inflation on the sector as the growth in value outpaces that of volume.
Today’s CSO figures show that the largest monthly volume declines were seen in the sale of books, newspapers and stationery, which decreased by 3.4%, while clothing, footwear and textiles sales slowed by 1.9%.
Sectors showing the largest monthly volume increases were Department Stores, with sales there up 2.2%, while furniture and lighting sales rose by 1.1%.
Meanwhile, the highest annual volume growth of 4.5% was recorded in other retail sales, which includes the likes of carpets, music, games and toys, flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, jewellery and household fuels. Car sales were up 4% and sales of pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles rose by 3.8%.
The largest annual volume declines were recorded in hardware, paints and glass, which fell by 5.1%, while sales of clothing, footwear and textiles were down 4.1%.
Commenting on today’s CSO figures, Dermot Daly, EY Ireland Consumer Products and Retail Lead, said they provide some reassurance for retailers heading into the crucial Christmas trading period.
“Despite a 0.4% dip in volumes in September, retail sales remain 2.9% higher than this time last year, suggesting that consumers have not significantly pulled back on spending,” he noted.
But he cautioned that resilience should not necessarily be confused with confidence.
“Households are still managing higher everyday costs and consumers are likely to remain considered about where and how they spend their discretionary income,” he said.
“Value will be front of mind, with consumers likely to shop around, seek out promotions and prioritise the purchases that matter most to them,” he added.
