One in three bookshops saw Christmas sales rise but 50% say sales fell

One in three Irish bookshops reported Christmas sales increased on the previous year but more than half said sales were down for the festive trading period. Picture: PA

One in three Irish bookshops reported Christmas sales increased on the previous year but more than half said sales were down for the festive trading period. 

Survey data from the Booksellers Association, which represents booksellers in Ireland, found that 32% of Irish booksellers reported Christmas 2025 sales were up on the previous year, with 50% saying sales were down, and the remainder reporting broadly stable performance.

Four new independent bookshops opened in Ireland during the year, with no closures. There are an estimated 200 bookshops across the island of Ireland, together employing over 3,000 people and generating €189m.  Looking ahead to 2026, Booksellers Ireland warned significant cost pressures remain. 

“Bookshops ended 2025 with a real mix of experiences. Some had a strong Christmas and a positive year overall, while others are still working incredibly hard just to stay afloat," said Booksellers Association managing director Meryl Halls. 

The association said nearly 70% of members cited the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on consumer spending and confidence, while over 50% identified increasing recommended retail prices (RRPs) and wholesale prices as a key concern. Staffing costs and rents were also widely flagged.

The Booksellers Association represents approximately 95% of bookshops across the UK and Ireland.  Based on membership of the Booksellers Association, the number of independent bookshops across Ireland and the UK increased to 1,069 during 2025, with 77 new openings and 41 closures recorded over the year.