Bookshops across Ireland ended 2025 with mixed results over the Christmas period, according to a new survey from the Booksellers Association. The survey, which covers around 95% of bookshops in the UK and Ireland, found that more than half of Irish booksellers reported a drop in sales compared to 2024, while only a quarter saw an increase in customer footfall.
Overall, just one in three bookshops reported higher sales than the previous year, half experienced a decline, and the remainder reported broadly stable performance. The data paints a picture of a sector balancing optimism and ongoing financial challenges.
Meryl Halls, Managing Director of the Booksellers Association, said that bookshops had “a real mix of experiences” over the festive season. “Some had a strong Christmas and a positive year overall, while others are still working incredibly hard just to stay afloat,” she said. Halls highlighted the role of bookshops in local communities, noting their central position in the National Year of Reading initiative.
Independent bookshops showed a positive trend, with four new openings and no closures, bringing the total number of outlets to 124. Despite this, the closure of specialist stores, including the Christian bookseller chain Veritas, underscored ongoing vulnerabilities in the market. Halls cautioned that while openings are encouraging, the 41 closures across the sector last year demonstrated how narrow profit margins remain.
Looking ahead to 2026, Irish booksellers expect to face significant financial pressures. Nearly 70% of those surveyed cited the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on consumer spending and confidence. Rising recommended retail prices and wholesale costs were identified as major concerns by more than half of respondents, while staffing costs and rental expenses were also widely flagged as challenges.
Halls said that the resilience of bookshops reflects the “entrepreneurialism, ingenuity, and sheer hard work” of booksellers across Ireland and the UK. Yet the sector remains exposed to economic pressures that could affect both independent and chain stores.
The Booksellers Association survey highlights the balancing act for bookshops, with some thriving through strong local engagement and community support, while others continue to struggle amid rising costs and uncertain consumer demand. As the new year begins, Irish bookshops are preparing to navigate these challenges while seeking to maintain their place at the heart of local reading communities.
