Irish retail is showing resilience and opportunity as the year progresses – making this summer the ideal time to supercharge in-store performance. New CSO data shows retail sales rose 1.1% month-on-month in April 2025, and are 3% up year-over-year. Plus, Irish households saved a substantial €8.2 billion in Q1, maintaining a 14% savings rate, pointing to untapped spending potential.
What we want to share today are, 3 practical strategies to leverage this momentum:
1. Boost Appeal with Eye-Catching Seasonal Displays & Bundles
- Furniture and lighting sales increased by 1.5% month-on-month in April, while the online share remains modest at around 5% – showing that physical displays still dominate.
- With footfall returning post-lock downs, striking summer-themed visuals coupled with bundled offers (e.g. Kettle + Muggi + Cup Set) can increase dwell time and average spend.
Tip: Refresh window and in-store displays weekly with summer colour palettes and bundle messaging.
2.Drive Engagement Through In-Store Events & Demos
While savings remain high, rising incomes (driven by wage growth) mean shoppers are spending cautiously – but still prioritise value and experience.
What’s effective:
- Host brief, interactive demos – indoor/outdoor furniture seating trials, Muggi or Kettle usage, or product walkthroughs.
- Incorporate an inviting ”bring-a-friend” or ”sample-now” element to foster purchase trust and community connection.
3.Combine Physical & Digital: In-Store Exclusives with QR Ad-Ons
Physical stores are gathering momentum: April’s online share of retail stayed low at 5.0%, down from 5.6% in April 2024. But digital complements are winning:
- Promote ”in-store only” product lines and bundled offerings.
- Use QR codes linking to how’to videos, enhancing confidence in products – especially among older shoppers.
Why This Matters Now
- Retail volumes are rebounding after a dip in March, heading into summer with +1.1% MoM.
- With 8.2 billion still parked in savings, consumers have both the capacity and intent to spend.
- Hybrid retail (hands-on + digital) is increasingly essential in influencing older shoppers and practical purchases.
Summer Action Plan Summary
Irish consumers are returning to shops with confidence – and summer presents opportunity to engage them. By combining captivating displays, community-building events, and smart digital integrations, retailers can convert savings and interest into tangible sales this Q3.
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