Why December still matters in Ireland (and why your store should make it count)
According to recent data, December retail spending in Ireland is expected to hit around €8.9 billion, representing roughly €1,555 extra spend per household compared with other months.
Credit and debit card spending on the run up to Christmas has surged. With some retailers reporting as much as a 30% increase compared with the same period the previous year.
For stores specialising in mobility and daily living aids, that upswing matters: many customers are looking for meaningful, practical, affordable gifts – especially items that deliver safety, ease of use and independence for older relatives or loved ones.
What that means: there’s a real opportunity in the final weeks of the year, but only if your store is ready. A few focused tweaks can help you convert extra footfall into actual sales.
Prioritise Everyday Essentials & Safe Use Products
During the busy pre-Christmas rush, shoppers often prioritise practical, no fuss items. Products like the Uccello Kettle, Muggi Cup Holder, Canes, or mobility aids should be placed where they’re easy to find, not tucked away.
- Make them visible: Give them prime shelf or floor space.
- Use clear signage: ‘’Safe to use – perfect for winter mornings’’, ‘’Ideal gift for Mum or Dad’’, or ‘’Helps with grip /mobility/arthritis’’.
- Emphasis value: Items that improve daily life and independence will resonate. Especially in a year where many household are mindful of costs.
With the older population in Ireland, over 750,000 people aged 65+ today, projected to grow significantly in coming decades – demand for safe, practical home aids is only going to increase.
Make it Easy for Adult Child/Family Carers Shoppers
Many purchasers for mobility and daily living aids won’t be the end-users (especially this time of year), often they’ll be children or relatives buying gifts for parents or grandparents. So, shift your sales messaging accordingly.
- Create a store zone or display labelled like: ‘’Keep Mum & Dad Safe – Winter Essentials’’ or ‘’Gifts That Help Independence’’.
- Staff need short, strong talking points: e.g.,
- ‘’This kettle pours without lifting – perfect if grip strength is reduced or fragile’’
- ‘’This Muggi catches drips and spills so no risk of burns or scalds when transporting the tea’’
- Real customer feedback or short testimonials (even anonymised) work wonders. E.g. ‘’This made morning tea possible again for my Dad’’. Real stories build trust quickly.
Visual Merchandising – Simple Bundles & Gift Friendly Layout
When shoppers are pressed for time (as they often are in December), the store layout matters more than ever.
- Eye-level placement of top SKUs rather that hidden shelves.
- Bundle solutions: e.g., kettle + grip mat + liquid level indicator – sell it as a safer complete set, rather than single products.
- Use gifting cues: ‘’Still looking for a last minute Christmas gift?’’ or ‘’Practical and safe – ideal for older relatives.’’
- Do a quick stock-check now. Once winter demand picks up, running out of key SKUs will kill conversions.
Reassure Customers – Safety, Simplicity, Confidence
Many people buying mobility aids want reassurance that the product will do the job and be easy to live with day to day.
- Train staff with quick FAQs: how the kettle works, who it helps (arthritis, mobility issues, early-stage dementia, strong recovery etc.), what the safety benefits are (no lifting, no balancing, less risk of scalding).
- Make returns and gift-appropriateness clear. Many purchases in December are gifts, so customers appreciate flexibility.
- Focus on practical benefits: minimum lift, stable base, ease of use. Packaging, signage or small leaflets/shelf cards can highlight these.
Use December as a Launchpad – Don’t Let Momentum Drop After Christmas
If December is managed well, it can create momentum going into the new year.
- Keep displays up – but change messaging from ‘’Christmas gift’’ to ‘’New Year independence & comfort’’.
- Show everyday use value – ‘’Help make morning tea simple again’’, ‘’Give independence back to Mum or Dad’’.
- If aligning with new year’s resolutions or lifestyle improvements – e.g. ‘’Make 2026 easier at home’’. You position the same products as long-term solutions, not just seasonal gifts.
Why This Year is Especially Important for Irish Retailers of Mobility & Daily Living Aids
At Uccello Designs we’ve invested significantly in raising brand awareness in Ireland this year. Through TV segments, publications, content creators and influencers. That means more consumers are already familiar with our products, and many may come into stores looking for them.
For retailers stocking Uccello, this awareness surge gives you a real advantage – but only if you’re visible, stocked up and ready for the demand.
Yes – December is busy. Yes – resources are stretched. But for daily living and mobility retailers in Ireland, it remains one of the most important windows of the year.
By making a few strategic, customer focused tweaks – prioritising essential products, simplifying messaging, improving visibility and offering reassurance – you can turn that pre-Christmas rush into meaningful, lasting sales growth.
With the boosted visibility for Uccello across Irish media this year and a genuine move toward safe, more independence home living among seniors – this winter could be one of the strongest yet for mobility retails so – ACT NOW!
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