Ireland’s retail sales momentum faltered in April 2026, with year-over-year growth slipping into negative territory after several months of expansion. According to data updated on 28 May 2026, retail sales declined by 0.5% compared with April a year earlier, reversing the 1.6% annual increase recorded in March 2026.
The figures are calculated on a year-over-year basis, meaning April’s result reflects how retail activity has changed relative to April of the previous year, while March’s reading compares March sales with those of March a year earlier. The shift from 1.6% growth in March to a 0.5% contraction in April suggests a cooling in consumer spending conditions as the second quarter began, raising questions about the resilience of Ireland’s domestic demand going forward.