RETAIL SALES FELL 1.1 per cent in November when compared to the previous month, newly released figures from the Central Statistics Office show.
In addition to the month-on-month fall, there was an annual decrease in the volume of retail sales of 0.5 per cent when compared to 2011.
The CSO figures show that when motor sales figures are excluded, the volume of retail sales decreased by 1.0 per cent in November 2012 when compared with October 2012 and an annual increase of 0.3 per cent is seen.
The sectors with the largest month-on-month volume increases are bars (+3.2 per cent), furniture and lighting (+2.7 per cent) and department stores (+2.4 per cent). The sectors with the largest monthly decreases were electrical goods (-17.8 per cent) and, fuel (-3.2 per cent).
The value of retail sales decreased by 1.2 per cent in November 2012 when compared with previous month, while an annual decrease of 0.2 per cent was noted.
When the motor trades was excluded, a monthly decrease of 1.0 per cent in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 0.6 per cent was seen.
‘Nor surprised’
Retail Excellence Ireland, Ireland’s largest retail group, has said it is “not surprised” with the decrease in the volume and value of retail sales in November.
“The main factor contributing to this decrease was the scheduling of the budget in December last year. The kite flying for Budget 2013 did not help retail sales or consumer sentiment and caused many consumers to postpone their spend,” said David Fitzsimons, CEO Retail Excellence Ireland.
However, we welcome the move by the Government to schedule next year’s Budget to October 2013. This is something which Retail Excellence Ireland has campaigned for on behalf of its 11,000 store members and will provide retailers with a much-needed boost for Christmas 2013.
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