Shoppers to spend €4.5billion this Christmas

Irish consumers will spend more this Christmas, but a push is on to ensure that overseas online retailers are not the only businesses to benefit.

Business group, Retail Ireland, predicts that spending will grow to €4.5bn — an average of €2,654 per household and a 2.6% increase on the same period last year.

The positive forecast is based on stronger spending this year, higher employment, competitive prices, and growing consumer confidence. It is also backed by successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, for which some retailers reported record sales.