Christmas proves 'solid but not spectacular' for Galway's retailers

Solid but nothing spectacular is how Galway’s retail sector described sales during the all-important Christmas season.

Shops in the city and county have reported that 2012 was at least as good as last year, and in some cases slightly better, but it was nowhere near the bonanza experienced in Dublin where retailers hailed it the best Christmas in five years.

Galway Chamber of Commerce said the boost to trade in Dublin, attributed to the return of shoppers from Northern Ireland who wanted to avoid Belfast due to violence and protests about the Union Jack flag, didn’t trickle down to Galway city or county.

“I don’t know is it hype in national media or is it real but I don’t believe that the Belfast phenomenon has manifested itself in Galway. Dublin and border towns like Dundalk may have benefitted but I’m not getting that sense here. I just don’t get that sense at all,” said CEO Michael Coyle.

The Christmas market is worth up to 20% of retailers’ annual income, he said, and though it was a ‘solid’, people haven’t ‘loosened the purse strings’ in Galway to the same extent as Dublin.

“It’s been solid but not spectacular. I haven’t spoken to anyone who has complained that this year was worse than last year. Some said it was on a par with last year and some say it was slightly better. I don’t necessarily believe what I’m hearing in the national media about it being the best Christmas in five years. I’m not hearing that and I’m not getting that sense.

“I’m not saying that to be negative but 2013 will be a difficult year and you cannot get away from the effect the budget will have on households’ expenditure,” he said.

See full story in this week's Connacht Tribune - out Friday.