According to the Retail Sales Index February 2023 (Provisional) and January 2023 (Final) report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the volume of sales in bars increased, year on year, in February 2023.
Details
The report, which was published on CSO.ie, states that there was a 12.8% annual increase in the volume of sales in bars in February 2023, and a 4.7% monthly increase, while the volume of bar sales was 15.2% lower than the volume of sales recorded for pre-pandemic February 2020.
Food, Beverage And Tobacco (Specialised Stores) Sales
Meanwhile, there was a 7.0% annual decrease in the volume of food, beverage and tobacco (specialised stores) sales in January 2023, and a 0.2% monthly increase in the volume of food, beverage and tobacco (specialised stores) sales in the second month of this year, while the volume of food, beverage and tobacco (specialised stores) sales was 8.5% higher than the volume of sales recorded for pre-pandemic February 2020, according to the CSO’s data.
Statement By Statistician
The report published on CSO.ie quoted Stephanie Kelleher, a statistician in the business statistics division, as saying, “Retail sales rose by 0.7% in February 2023, when compared with January 2023 on a seasonally adjusted basis. On an annual basis, retail volumes were 3.6% higher than in February 2022. In February 2023, the largest monthly volume increases were recorded in bars – +4.7% – hardware, paints & glass – +2.5% – and motor trades – +1.7%.
“The highest monthly volume decreases were in furniture & lighting – -11.4% – and books, newspapers & stationery – -5.0%. The largest annual volume increase was in bars – +12.8% – however, some caution should be exercised, as it is compared with a low base from the previous year. Despite this increase, bar sales remained [at] 15.2% – lower than their pre-Covid-19 level in February 2020.
“Other sectors to show large volume increases were motor trades – +9.1% – clothing, footwear & textiles – +6.0% – and fuel – +4.1%.
“The largest annual volume decreases were recorded in other retail sales – -13.2% – department stores – -8.7% – and food, beverages & tobacco (specialised stores) – -7.0%.”
Read More: Bar Sales Increased Year On Year In January
© 2023 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
