Chambers Ireland welcome increase in retail sales

Retail sales grew by 6.1% in July compared with the same month in 2012

Calls for government to support retailers in upcoming budget

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Chambers Ireland has welcomed CSO figures which show a 6.1% rise in the volume of retail sales between June and July and urged the government to build on this momentum by supporting retailers and SMEs in the budget.

Seán Murphy, Chambers Ireland deputy chief executive said: "While we would expect sectors such as clothing, books and stationery to record an increase at this time of year, it’s encouraging to see that there was also a significant year on year increase of 4.7%. The earlier date for Budget 2014 should reduce the anxiety felt by many consumers in the run-up to the vital Christmas period. This should allow retailers to capitalise on the positive trading period reflected in these figures. These positive figures provide the government with the perfect opportunity to support continued improvement through Budget 2014."

Retail sales increased by 6.1% in July compared with the same month in 2012, boosted by high volumes of car sales. Overall sales in the motor trade increased by 37.4%, most likely as a result of the introduction of the 132 registration plate this year. If motor trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 1.3% in the month. Sales of books, newspapers and stationery increased by 16.2%, while clothing, footwear and textiles rose 5.3%.

Chambers Ireland has given its pre-budget submission to government which included a number of recommendations. The group called for the introduction of ‘free parking windows’ in town centres; where the first two hours of parking would be free. Chambers Ireland also want the government to introduce targeted rates reductions for companies located within town and city centres, the rapid implementation of the transition to e-payment, the abolition of stamp duty on payment cards and an increase in duty charges for cheques.

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