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

There are an estimated 200 bookshops across the island of Ireland, together employing over 3,000 people and generating €189m

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.