Retail sales in Ireland fell by 0.1% month-over-month in December 2025, reversing a revised 0.3% rise in November. The decline was mainly driven by weaker sales of books, newspapers and stationery (-9% versus -1.2%), fuel (-2.6% versus 0.9%), hardware, paints and glass (-2.5% versus 2.8%) and bars (-2.1% versus 3.8%). In contrast, sales increased for electrical goods (2% versus -0.7%), food, beverages and tobacco (1.7% versus -1.4%) and clothing, footwear and textiles (1.6% versus -0.7%), while growth slowed down for motor trades (2.5% versus 4.7%). On a yearly basis, retail trade decreased by 0.1% in December, the first decline since March 2025, following a revised 2.1% increase in November.