Ennis retailers say they’re experiencing a steady trade this Christmas period.
It comes as figures released by the lobby group Retail Ireland have revealed that households on average are spending around €2,800 this month – nearly one thousand euro more than any other month of the year.
Retail Ireland’s Christmas Retail Monitor is predicting a significant boost in the sector this month, with its data showing Ireland is heading back to Celtic Tiger spending levels.
Nationally, consumer spending is expected to top €4.9bn.
This works out at €2,800 per household, which would appear to indicate that much more is being spent in the shops.
However, Patrick Bourke of Bourke’s Menswear in Ennis and Kilrush says it’s a mixed market and not all are feeling this improvement.
However, he has given credit to measures to encourage people to shop in Ennis over the Christmas period.
This past weekend has seen the usual rush ahead of Christmas Day.
The traditional busy Christmas Eve is also expected tomorrow, with many hoping for a very strong day of trading.
Eimear Fannin of the Kilkenny Shop in Ennis says they have found it to be busy so far, adding that they’re even seeing people travel from afar to the county town for their shopping.
The importance of shopping local is also being pushed this year.
Clare County Council and Clare FM have been running a Give the Gift of Local campaign to encourage customers to increase how much they’re spending on their doorsteps.
Ennis Chamber also has its #BuyLocalFlyLocal campaign.
Jean McCabe of Willow on O’Connell Street says these are important messages all year around – but particularly at Christmas.
