Ennis retailers are bracing themselves for an expected drop-off in business after the busy Christmas period.
It comes as a new survey has predicted that consumer spending will be down 13% over the festive season, compared to last year.
Although Christmas is traditionally the most fruitful time of the year for retailers, a study carried out by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has anticipated that the consumer spend will be lower than previous years.
It’s expected the average seasonal spend will be €1,030, down from €1,186 in 2022.
Those with children are likely to spend closer to €1,369 though, but this is still significantly lower than the average of €1,590 last year.
Although the rate of inflation slowed to 2.3% in November, many business-owners have reported that customers are being more conservative in how they shop.
Alison McGrath of My First Steps in Ennis claims people are becoming more pragmatic, and are avoiding discretionary spending.
Online shopping is also posing a threat to local businesses, with 81% of Irish consumers admitting to shopping online last in 2022, which was up two percentage points on the previous year.
Some have argued however that while the Christmas period tends to look after itself, the most challenging time for retailers comes immediately afterwards.
Patrick Bourke of Patrick Bourke Menswear in Ennis and Kilrush says the more people spend at Christmas, the more difficult Spring is for business-owners.
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