Retail sales in Ireland increased by 0.6% month-on-month in August 2026, slowing from an upwardly revised six-month high of 1.6% in July and marking the weakest expansion since April. The deceleration was chiefly driven by sharp falls in sales of pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic products (-4.3%) and fuel (-2.8%). Fuel sales also declined in value, down 2.3%, even as volumes rose by 1.8%.
These downturns were partly offset by stronger sales in several categories, including furniture and lighting (+2.6%), clothing, footwear and textiles (+2.2%), and bars (+1.9%). Year-on-year, retail activity surged 4.3% in August, accelerating from an upwardly revised 2.7% gain in the previous month and registering the fastest annual growth since August 2023.
