Retail Ireland Monitor February 2022

With many Covid restrictions dropped, Ireland is in a better place than much of Europe in terms of restoring normal economic activity.  After a broadly positive December, heightened fears of a new Omicron wave have dissipated. This is reflected in strong consumer sentiment figures. A focus on getting city centre footfall back to pre-pandemic levels is now a priority. Meanwhile, rising inflation and a tightening labour market look set to frame the 2022 economic backdrop.