2026.05.2810:00:00UTC+00Irish Retail Sales Slip 0.2% in April, Reversing March Uptick

Ireland’s retail sector lost momentum in April 2026, with month-on-month sales declining by 0.2%, according to the latest data updated on 28 May 2026. The drop follows a modest 0.2% increase in March 2026, highlighting a fragile and uneven consumer spending environment.

On a month-over-month basis, April’s figure marks a turnaround from the previous month’s growth, which compared March to February 2026. The latest reading, which measures the change in retail sales from April versus March, suggests Irish consumers may be turning more cautious after a brief rise in activity.

While the swing from +0.2% to -0.2% is relatively small in absolute terms, it underscores the sensitivity of retail demand to short-term shifts in confidence and conditions. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases to see whether April’s decline proves to be a temporary pause or the start of a softer trend in Irish consumer spending.