Ireland

While retail value sales posted a positive performance in 2023, this was driven by rising inflation and increased price points across air care. In comparison, retail volume sales struggled, as higher price points saw consumers reducing their…

Russia’s war in Ukraine coupled with the EU’s ambitious Zero Carbon policy continues to put pressure on fuel prices and this has led to a significant increase in the average ticket price for the end consumer. European regulators have introduced new…

Alcoholic drinks showed a strong performance in volume terms in 2022, as consumers began to return to their pre-pandemic consumption patterns. Growth was driven by the recovery of the on-trade, following two years of social distancing and lockdown…

Analgesics sales are returning to more normal patterns in 2023, following the fluctuations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the sharp price rises seen in 2022. On balance, current value growth rates are still elevated compared to pre-pandemic…

Apparel and footwear specialists maintained double-digit value growth in 2023, following a significant sales boom the previous year. The 2022 sales boost was attributed to this being the first full year without pandemic-related restrictions, driven…

Appliances and electronics specialists saw sales plummet in Ireland in 2023, following positive growth in 2022. This slump is attributed to consumers seeing lower spending power due to inflationary pressures and the cost-of-living crisis, whereas in…

Away-from-home tissue and hygiene in Ireland reported robust value growth in 2023, lifted in part by higher unit prices. Away-from-home tissue performed particularly well aided by strong demand for AFH wipers. Pandemic cleaning habits continue to…

In 2023, despite rising inflation and growing price consciousness, baby and child-specific products in Ireland recorded positive retail volume growth. Many consumers continue to spend and invest in products for children during economic uncertainty,…

One of the most important trends in baby food in Ireland in 2023 was the increased focus on health and wellness, which manifested most clearly in the increasing interest in clean label products and those with functional ingredients. With consumer…

Baked goods has seen a significant shift in consumer preferences, with an increasing demand for plant-based and vegan alternatives over traditional products. This trend is primarily fuelled by the growing awareness of the health and environmental…

In 2023, bath and shower in Ireland registered positive retail value sales, driven by rising prices, while retail volume growth was challenged. With the threat of COVID-19 having reduced, habits that formed during the pandemic – such as hand…

In 2023, Ireland's beauty and personal care landscape was influenced by high inflation rates, with economic uncertainty shaping consumer spending. Consumers focused on essential items in response to declining disposable incomes, leading to a fall in…

Beer showed a strong performance in volume terms in 2022, as all pandemic-related restrictions were lifted and consumers began to return to their usual routines, including spending time in pubs, which are an integral part of the country’s social…

While bleach saw rising value sales aligned with increased price points, retail volume sales continued to decline in 2023. With COVID-19 concerns no longer driving sales, the product is suffering from being mainly viewed as outdated and toxic.…

Travel in Ireland has continued to recover in 2023, despite the challenges presented by high inflation and a drop in household budgets. In fact, summer bookings have approached pre-pandemic levels with consumers keen to travel again after a few years…

With Irish consumers increasingly opting for healthier hydration options, the health trend continued to drive up the demand for bottled water in both the on- and off-trade channels. More and more consumers reduced their consumption of other types of…

In 2023, breakfast cereals saw a significant shift towards online sales, a trend that was largely driven by the rise of e-commerce and home delivery services. The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in this transition, as local consumers…

The Irish economy is characterised by a favourable and free business environment, and comparative advantages, which makes it an attractive destination for FDI. Despite short-term challenges, such as declining business confidence and escalating global…

2023 saw more stability in the average unit price of butter after steep unit price increases during 2022, which was a particularly challenging year for category players as they battled with rising production and distribution costs at a time of high…

In 2023, cafés/bars in Ireland accounted for a 37% value share of total foodservice sales. Despite a positive performance during the year, the channel did not fully recover to pre-pandemic sales levels, mainly due to the slower rebound by bars/pubs,…

Carbonates’ overall off-trade (and total) volume sales are projected to decrease over 2023. Irish consumers decreased their intake of carbonates in favour of perceived healthier or more functional soft drinks like bottled water or energy drinks.…

In 2024, cat food in Ireland is expected to continue to see retail current value growth stem from price escalations. However, the rise in the average unit price of cat food is projected to be slower than in 2023. This is predicted to lead to a lower…

2023 saw rising demand for premium cheese brands with a clear health and wellness positioning as Irish consumers became increasingly interested in products that can help them to improve their dietary intake. The desire to improve one’s diet to…

In 2023, chocolate confectionery in Ireland is driven by a strong consumer desire for indulgence and celebration. Chocolate is not merely a sweet treat, but a symbol of joy and festivity, making it a preferred choice for marking special occasions.…

Following a two-year period of decline, cider/perry volumes saw buoyant growth in 2022, with sales approaching pre-pandemic levels. This was driven by the recovery of the on-trade, following two years of social distancing and lockdown measures, due…

Cigarette sales in Ireland registered significant volume declines in 2022, as a result of a return to pre-pandemic levels of international travel, which saw cross-border and duty-free sales increase once more. This trend, which has been seen across…

Increasing cross-border tobacco sales, competition from illicit trade, another tax increase that further reduced the price gap between economy cigarettes and fine cut tobacco, and the emergence of closed system single use products negatively impacted…

Retail coffee in Ireland continued to see growth in volume terms during 2023, albeit at a slower rate than in previous years of the review period. The main reason for growth is the increasing penetration of coffee in Irish households. Ireland is said…

In 2023, colour cosmetics in Ireland saw positive retail value growth, somewhat driven by rising prices. Inflation in cosmetics was higher in 2023 than in 2022, impacting consumers purchasing decisions across the landscape, resulting in premium…

The commodities country overview provides comprehensive data on production, consumption and price trends on key commodities markets. The commodities overview in Ireland covers production and consumption trends in agricultural commodities, energy…

Retail volume sales of concentrates were under pressure in Ireland in 2023. Strong growth in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, with consumers shifting to retail in line with the heavy restrictions on foodservice, fostered stabilisation towards the…

In 2019, Western European construction recorded output of USD4,588 billion despite a slight slowdown in major economies. The COVID-19 crisis in 2020 and related uncertainty led to residential and commercial construction contracting. Rising…

Leisure and travel, increasing in value sales terms by 14% and 12% respectively, were the most impressive performers in terms of consumer foodservice locations in 2023, as consumer spending rose and travel patterns returned to greater levels of…

Despite facing considerable challenges since the pandemic, consumer foodservice in Ireland has demonstrated remarkable resilience. After experiencing a drastic decline of nearly half its value in 2020, the industry commenced its recovery at a gradual…

Consumer health is witnessing another strong performance in 2023 as the category continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic following the removal of all pandemic-related restrictions. As Irish people shift back to normal living habits without…

Inflationary pressures, notably in food, drove value growth in convenience retailers in 2023. Here we note the cost of everyday essentials, such as butter, milk, flour, and eggs. While this supports value sales due to the higher prices, retailers in…

The war in Ukraine continued to impact cooking ingredients and meals in 2023 by affecting the availability and prices of key ingredients, particularly sunflower oil and seeds. Irish food manufacturers have assessed the medium-term effects of the…

The Cork in Ireland report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration, wealth…

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak significantly disrupted manufacturing and service sectors as well as the global transportation system. This briefing examines how manufacturing, services and transportation industries are impacted by the…

Cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies are enjoying strong growth in 2023 as the category continues to recover from the sharp declines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu, common coughs and colds and seasonal allergies in the Irish…

2023 saw pressure on demand across all categories of dairy products and alternatives in Ireland as the high inflation that swept across Europe during 2022 continued, albeit at a lower rate. This led to volume sales declines across most categories of…

Following a strong performance in 2022, deodorants in Ireland continued to record positive retail value and volume sales in 2023. While price increases supported strength in retail value, volume sales remained positive in deodorant creams, pumps,…

Depilatories in Ireland in 2023 recorded a positive performance, with hair removers/bleaches and women's razors and blades showcasing positive retail volume and value growth. Poor economic indicators with shrinking disposable incomes and high…

Dermatologicals is seeing solid current value growth in 2023, driven in part by higher retail prices. The category is benefiting from a return to normal daily lifestyles following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers’ skin is being more exposed to…

Healthier lifestyles and a focus on immune system support are the key drivers of dietary supplements sales in 2023. Concerns surrounding COVID-19 led more Irish consumers to start taking dietary supplements on a regular basis as a preventive measure…

Digestive remedies is one of the most stable consumer health categories in Ireland, but the lack of innovations and breakthroughs over the review period is posing a limitation to growth. Even new product launches are rare in this category, with the…

Direct selling remained in a relatively steep slump in Ireland in 2023, due to strong competition from a variety of other shopping channels which offer wider ranges of goods at lower prices – both online and offline. Added to which, inflationary…

Discounters maintained growth in Ireland in 2023, thanks to offering affordable goods to price-sensitive consumers. Indeed, discounters continue to expand their ranges of products, thus, to appeal to a wider range of consumers who are seeking…

Many consumers consider dishwashers an essential home appliance in Ireland, with many aware of the eco-benefits of using dishwashers above hand washing. In addition, many consumers look to use dishwashing products more sustainably, waiting for a full…

Dog food in Ireland is expected to continue to face challenges over 2024, marked by slow retail volume growth. This is attributed to dog population constraints in conjunction with inflationary pressures. The Dublin Society for the Prevention of…