The company says the rise in online shopping played a major part.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys has published legislation that will give gift vouchers a five-year expiration date.

Last weekend, on the penultimate Saturday before Christmas, there was a weather warning which Retail Excellence claim made shoppers stay at home.

An industry body has thrown down the gauntlet to retailers to be ready for Christmas, with households set to spend almost €2,700 during the period.

Consumers are being urged to support local businesses and farmers by buying Irish this Christmas.

In what could be Ireland’s most unusual present, a cottage is being auctioned as a Christmas gift for less than the price of a family car.

More than a third of adults are putting Christmas on credit, according to a charity.

Christmas can be make or break for small businesses in Ireland.

Christmas shoppers are been urged to remain vigilant for thieves operating in retail car parks.

Cross-border shopping on the back of Brexit will likely increase in the run up to Christmas, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has signalled, and is now a “challenge” for areas south of the border.

Two out of five consumers plan to use some form of credit to finance their Christmas spending this year, a survey from the Financial Regulator has found.

The Consumers' Association has accused retailers of driving shoppers north of the border by charging exorbitant prices for their products.

Shoppers from the Republic are reportedly swarming north of the border in the run-up to Christmas to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate between Sterling and the euro.