Cork retailers reporting strong sales and busy trade in run-up to Christmas 

BUSINESSES in Cork have reported an overall increase in sales in the run-up to Christmas this year, welcoming increased footfall into the city.

An increased effort by people to shop local this year has also been recognised by Cork businesses, as people rally to support small, family-run businesses following a difficult number of years.

Business owners have said that the evident extra effort to make Cork a special place to visit this Christmas has encouraged more people to visit the city centre and explore what every street, nook, and cranny has to offer.

Owner of Best of Buds, in Winthrop Arcade located on Oliver Plunkett St, Carole Horgan said her shop has been busy and sales consistent this Christmas.

“We’re having a fantastic Christmas, as we always have, and only by the efforts of the retailers who have always made that effort.

“We’re in at 7am and we’re not out until 7pm, and that’s not just at Christmas — that’s during all of November and December.

“It’s important that we sustain jobs and our biggest homework and our biggest challenge and task is to get your sales, but also to maintain our margin.

“That is challenging, but we got to put our best foot forward and go for it because retail and

shopping local is for all year round not just for Christmas.”

Shopping local 

Managing Director of Fitzgerald Menswear, on Patrick St, Eddie Mullins said that the fantastic weather over the past month has encouraged people to come into the city on foot and experience the festive atmosphere.

“People are coming in and focusing on shopping local and — after what happened in Midleton with the flooding — people have stayed local. The one great thing that we’re hearing all the time is that Cork is on the up.

“A couple of years back, we went through difficult times — but now we have new businesses on Patrick St and huge investment on the street.

“There is a lovely vibe now, there are new places on the street such as donut places, shops, and restaurants.

“There are more guards on the street and a real effort is being made by the cleaning crews too.

“When all the people act together it’s amazing what can be achieved. So, we are very happy and people have been in great form, they see us as a family-friendly environment and it’s been really positive since the start of the month.”

Busiest Christmas to date 

The founder and director of Ivy’s Attic Jewellery, Sean Layton, said it has been their busiest Christmas to date by far.

“We are very fortunate to have seen strong growth in both our online and bricks and mortar sales throughout the year, which has been a boost,” he said.

“This has enabled us to invest in a more extensive product offering this Christmas season, as well as hire more team members to ultimately offer a better shopping experience for our customers.

“This is now our fourth Christmas at the Marina Market, and it’s so great to still have many of the same customers shopping with us since 2020.”

Managing Director of Pinocchio’s Toys & Gifts, on Paul St, Wyon Stansfeld said the city has been getting busier over the last couple of years.

He added that there has been a huge improvement in sales in the run-up to Christmas since the pandemic.

“It’s not without its problems, but definitely with hope for the future. People very much want to shop local and we are feeling and seeing that.

“We really appreciate it, particularly after 40 years of trading in the city. Even online, I feel that people are at least trying to make sure they are buying in Ireland where possible.”

Post-Covid recovery

Carol Feller, of Stolen Stitches Ltd in Tramore Commercial Park, said they have recorded more online sales than in-person sales this winter, but that there are more and more local crafters coming through the doors in recent months.

“Being a crafting business, our busy sale periods are frequently a little different from other retailers. Knitters have a big rush in September or October so they can get gifts knit in time for the holidays.

“While we have more sales online than in person, we are starting to see more local crafters coming through the doors.

“In-person sales are busier this year than last year but online definitely dominates. The increase is slow but steady.”

Joan Lucey, of Vibes and Scribes, said that — as usual — Cork people have been loving their books and crafting this festive season.

“The crafters are going a lot for kits as presents, as well as stocking up themselves for the Christmas break,” she said.

“The gift of relaxing and recharging, by either reading or crafting, is high on the agenda for all our loyal Cork and Irish customers. We are so happy to be able to supply that demand.”

Manager of Wilton Shopping Centre Susanne Irwin said the run-up to Christmas has been very busy, with a loyal customer base that has been built upon since its opening in 1979.

“The stores are seeing a post-covid recovery in consumer confidence, and footfall has increased steadily throughout the year,” she said.

“However, the cost-of-living and the ongoing impact of inflationary pressures have had an effect this Christmas, with the average spend down on previous years. Many of the stores in the centre are family-run businesses, and we have seen customers making an effort this year to move offline and support local jobs.”