Retail vacancies fall but Cork situation worsens

The number of retail premises lying vacant fell considerably in the opening months of the year as a slight pick-up in sales growth enticed retailers back onto the country’s main streets.

Vacancy rates improved in six of the nine main street locations surveyed in the opening quarter of the year, with Belfast and Limerick recording the biggest improvements.

Retail sales growth across almost all sectors of 2.7% — or 0.4% when motor sales are excluded — was recorded in the opening quarter.