Retail sales decline in April as car sales slump

Largest annual declines were seen in food, drinks, and specialist tobacco stores, which fell 7.9% year-on-year, CSO data shows

New car registrations for April were down 3.6% to 8,591 — compared to 8,912 registered last April.

Lacklustre car sales drove down the volume of retail sales during April, leading a decline of 0.9% compared to the same period last year, new data from the Central Statistics Office show.

According to the latest retail sales index, the overall volume of sales dropped by 0.9% in the year to April. However, when car sales are excluded, the sales volume actually grew by 0.2%.

Data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) show new car registrations for April were down 3.6% to 8,591 — compared to 8,912 registered last April.

Across the entire retail sector, the largest annual declines were seen in food, drinks, and specialist tobacco stores, which fell 7.9% year-on-year. The sales volumes of books, newspapers, and stationery fell by 7.3%, while department stores sales declined by 6.3%.

The volume of bar sales also declined by 6%. The CSO said fuel consumption was also down, dropping 4%.

The total value of retail sales increased by 2.1% in the same period. Excluding car sales, it increased by 1.8% on an annual basis.

The growing value of retail sales was largely driven by an 8.5% increase in the sale of clothing and footwear and electrical goods, which increased by 6.1%.

The proportion of retail sales transacted online was 5.3% in April 2024 compared with 5.1% in March 2024 and 5.1% in April 2023.