Ireland retail trends show growing e-commerce and weekend in-store shopping

E-commerce in Ireland continues to grow, with online sales accounting for 5.2% of retail turnover among Irish-registered retailers in August 2025, an increase from 4.7% the previous year according to the Central Statistics Office.

Analysis from Visa highlights a distinct pattern in consumer behavior, noting a split between weekday online shopping and weekend in-store spending. Over 80% of online retail transactions occur between Monday and Friday, with Thursday identified as the peak day for e-commerce, accounting for over 16% of total online spend. Conversely, in-store transactions are significantly higher, especially on Saturdays, where they can be 7-8 times more frequent than online transactions.

Spending habits vary by sector: grocery shopping peaks online on Thursdays and Fridays, while fashion spending is heavily concentrated on weekends. Online fashion shopping specifically sees spikes on Sunday nights around 9 PM. While online convenience is increasing, physical retail remains a vital component of the Irish economy and local communities.