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After the reopening of restaurants and bars for the first time this year, retail sales volumes have grown over three per cent in June, compared to the previous month.

Notably, sales were 10.6 per cent higher than in June of last year, when there were tighter restrictions. Not only this, but sales were also up 13 per cent on pre-pandemic levels in June 2019.

On 8 June last year, non-essential retailers were allowed to re-open, where access at street level was possible and shopping centres re-opened on 15 June 2020.

In contrast, June 2021 saw all retail open, while bars were allowed to trade outdoors for the entire month.

Pub sales were 553 per cent higher month-on-month but they were still down 48 per cent compared with 2019, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed.

Additionally, sales on books, newspapers and stationery saw a 169 per cent increase in June compared to the previous month – the next largest increase.

Pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic products were up 20 per cent, whilst department store spend was up just over 53 per cent compared with May.

What sectors experienced decreases in June?

The specific sectors with decreases were electrical goods, which were down almost four per cent, clothing, footwear, and textiles, which were down one per cent.

Online retail sales from Irish registered companies fell to five per cent in June 2021. This is down from almost six per cent of all retail sales in May 2021 and almost seven per cent in June of last year.

Also, daily credit and debit card usage compiled by the central bank has shown that spending fell back in the first half of July. This is primarily down to the delay in indoor dining and drinking.

However, the value of retail sales was 13.9 per cent higher than June 2020.

These CSO figures indicate that retail sales value was around four per cent higher in June compared to the previous months.

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