A prominent Clare retailer is expressing concerns that trade will suffer in the coming months due to supply issues.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the retail sector has seen a marginal 1.8% boost in sales this May in comparison to a month prior, and a 44% increase on the same time last year.
Patrick Bourke, of Bourke’s Menswear in Ennis and Kilrush confirmed that national boost in clothing, footwear and textiles is also being felt locally, with his store even showing a higher level of sales than in pre-pandemic times.
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However, Patrick says that a pent-up demand has led to this summer-time boost and that he fears pandemic and brexit-related supply issues will cost him down the line.
