beverages and tobacco Archives - Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer

Retail sales volumes plunge by 6.6% in a year – but are higher than pre-Covid levels

Linda Stewart — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 10:29:06 +0000

Retail sales volumes have plunged by 6.6% in the year to June 2022, according to new government figures.

The figures, released by the CSO, show retail sales were down 1.3% in the past month, with the largest monthly volume decreases seen in Electrical Goods (-13.5%), Hardware, Paints & Glass (-11.3%) and Clothing & Footwear (-6.3%).

Furniture & Lighting (+25.9%), Department Stores (+19.0%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (+10.4%) and Bars (+8.2%) recorded the largest monthly volume increases.

Bars (+54.5%) and Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (+6.6%) were the only sectors that showed an annual volume increase but the CSO warned caution should be exercised when interpreting the increase in Bars, as the comparison is with a low base from a year ago when some restrictions still applied.

The volume of Retail Sales excluding Motor Trades fell by 2.1% in the month and dropped by 6.4% in the year when compared with June 2021. However, the volume of retail sales in June 2022 was 2.4% higher than pre-COVID-19 levels in February 2020.

The value of retail sales in the Fuel sector rose by 28.5% in the year to June 2022 while the volume fell by 6.9% over the same period, reflecting higher prices compared with the previous year.

The proportion of retail sales transacted online (from Irish registered companies) was 4.9% in June 2022 compared with 5.7% in May 2022, 4.9% in June 2021 and 6.7% in June 2020.

Commenting on the release, Stephanie Kelleher, Statistician in the Business Statistics Division, said: “Two sectors showed an annual increase in the volume of sales compared with June 2021. Bars rose by 54.5% compared with June 2021, however despite this large recovery in June 2022 over the previous year, Bar sales remained 24.0% lower than its pre-COVID-19 level in February 2020. Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles also showed an annual increase (+6.6%).

“The sectors which showed the largest annual reductions in volume were Other Retail Sales (-29.8%), Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (-14.6%) and Motor Trades (-14.5%).

“Compared with February 2020 (28 months earlier and pre-COVID-19), the volume of All Retail Sales in June 2022 was 2.4% higher. The highest increases were seen in Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (+25.4%), Clothing & Footwear (+22.8%), Hardware, Paints & Glass (+16.2%) and Department Stores (+13.6%).

“The largest decreases in the volume of sales in June 2022 when compared with February 2020 levels, were Bars (-24.0%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-19.8%), and Fuel (-10.9%).”

The post Retail sales volumes plunge by 6.6% in a year – but are higher than pre-Covid levels appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.

Retail sales down 1.7% in October 2021 compared to September

Linda Stewart — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:17:35 +0000

Retail sales dropped 1.7% in October 2021 when compared to September 2021, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.

The largest monthly volume increases were seen in bars, increasing by 18%; books, news and stationery, which rose by 4.9%; and furniture and lighting which climbed by 2.8%.

The sectors showing the largest monthly decreases in October 2021 were hardware, paints and glass, which plunged 13.4%; and pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles, which dropped by 4.9%.

The overall volume of retail sales in October 2019 was 9% higher than pre-Covid levels in October 2019.

Commenting on the release of the Retail Sales Index October 2021 (Provisional) September 2021 (Final), statistician Stephanie Kelleher said: “Retail sales decreased by 1.7% in October 2021 when compared to September 2021. On an annual basis, retail volumes were 1.5% higher than in October 2020.

“In October 2021, the largest monthly volume increases in sales were recorded in Bars (+18.0%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery and (+4.9%), Furniture & Lighting (+2.8%). The business sectors with the largest monthly decreases were Hardware, Paints & Glass (-13.4%) and Pharmaceuticals, Medical & Cosmetic Articles (-4.9%).

“The sector with the highest annual volume increase was Bars (+271%). However, it should be noted that in October of last year, the country was under Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions from early October 2020 and Level 5 lockdown for the final 10 days of the month.

“Other sectors to show large increases in volume compared to October 2020 included Clothing & Footwear (+29.4%) and Books, Newspapers & Stationery (+19.1%). The greatest annual decreases in volume occurred in Hardware, Paints & Glass (-21.5%) and Other Retail Sales (-15.9%).”

Pre-Covid levels

Providing further analysis of the figures, Stephanie Kelleher said the CSO is including new tables that compare October 2021 to pre-Covid sales in October 2019.

“Several sectors showed significant changes compared to their corresponding level of sales in October 2019. The highest increases were seen in Electrical Goods (+28.2%), Furniture & Lighting (+26.4%) and Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) (+20.3%).

“Three sectors had a volume of sales in October 2021 which decreased from October 2019 levels namely Bars (-6.0%), Fuel (-6.0%) and Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-4.2%).

The proportion of retail sales transacted online (from Irish registered companies) was 5.7% in October 2021 compared to 4.6% in September 2021, 6.0% in October 2020 and 3.4% in October 2019.

The post Retail sales down 1.7% in October 2021 compared to September appeared first on Ireland's Forecourt & Convenience Retailer.