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Updated 12.44 pm
SPENDING THIS CHRISTMAS is only marginally up on last year, disappointing retailers that were expecting a greater bump in sales.
Retail Excellence Ireland (REI) says, as a result of these slower than expected sales, “major discounting” is likely in the post-Christmas period as retailers seek to reduce stock levels.
The research by largest retail industry body found that the busiest day in the run up to Christmas 2014 was 2 December, when the secondary school teachers strike coincided with this month’s children’s allowance payments.
Despite this, REI’s Seán Murphy says that “trading failed to ignite across Ireland” over the last few days in the Christmas run-up.
“Christmas 2014 will trade marginally up on Christmas 2013,” he estimates. “It would seem that while all the indicators pointed to a vibrant Christmas 2014, the fact is that seven years of frugality is a hard habit to break.”
Home for Christmas
Provincial Ireland enjoyed a reasonable increase as returning emigrants boosted sales.
Giving experiences
More and more people are gifting experiences rather than off- the-shelf retail presents.
Quality over quantity
There’s a a notable decrease in the number of items purchased this Christmas with people preferring to ‘buy less, but buy better’.
Frozen
The most popular toy of 2014. Simples.
Self-gifting
Many retailers are reporting that people are indulging in more discretionary spending on themselves this Christmas.
Home decorations
REI say there’s been a noted return to people getting the house set for Christmas.
Predicting the sales
REI is predicting that, because of slower than expected pre-Christmas splurging, the New Year sales period will be “one of the best on record”.
Most online retailers are expect to begin sales on Christmas Day itself with more “big ticket” items like home improvement purchases expected to be bought later in the month.
Read the full REI report here >
- First published 7am
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Can’t believe this is only being implemented in the US when it’s been well documented in Europe. Another one that’s just been realised in the past 2-3 years is giving them a soother. This again drives the percentage down lower still as they reckon using a soother helps the baby regulate their breathing.
I know someone who lost a baby to SIDS but still insists it’s fine for babies to sleep on their front because she was always placed on her front and her mother’s a nurse. Apparently studies have shown it’s fine, but I think you’ll find a study to support anything.
Any articles not from AFP? Any non-American viewpoints on these sites?
When was placing a baby front way down ever a good idea.
They do in the hospital especially if baby has a lot of mucous, obviously this is completely supervised
General concern was that if you left a baby on its back it could choke on its own vomit so there was some thought behind it… Parents predating 1992 weren’t idiots..
I don’t know why you would put a baby in a room on it’s own?
“Other strategies include offering a child a pacifier at nap time and night as well as ensuring they have all the recommended vaccinations” – this is a hard hitting report that doesn’t half speak the obvious.
My babies always slept better once they moved into their own room. I think I was keeping them awake and vice versa. But for my own peace of mind I purchased an Angel Mat which beeps to let you know if baby stops breathing.
We bought the ‘Angel Care’ monitor with the mattress sensor and it went off twice for our first born and once for our second born. One of the times it went off for our first born we jumped out of bed and I turned on the light – the baby didn’t move. My wife stirred/shook the child and we heard him take a massive intake of breath. I am glad we spent the 100 euros on the Angel Care monitor. It is more expensive than other monitors, but it does go off it your baby stops moving/breathing.
So how are you supposed to keep a baby warm if you live in a house that gets really cold overnight and you can’t use a blanket? Just curious
Sleep suit, gro bag or similar..
have your say