Irish consumers are spending more online than ever before, but physical stores continue to account for the vast majority of retail spending, according to new analysis from Visa.
The payments company’s latest data shows that while e-commerce has become firmly embedded in shopping habits, traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers remain the preferred choice for most purchases, particularly at weekends.
Visafound that more than 80% of online retail spending now takes place between Monday and Friday, with Thursday emerging as Ireland’s busiest day for e-commerce, accounting for more than 16% of all online retail spend.
On a typical day in 2026, there are around six times more in-store transactions than online, rising to between seven and eight times more on Saturdays.
The findings also reveal significant differences in shopping behaviour depending on the type of purchase.
Online grocery shopping is concentrated towards the end of the working week, particularly on Thursdays and Fridays, while consumers are far more likely to visit supermarkets in person on Saturdays.
Fashion shoppers tend to favour weekends, with one-third of all clothing and footwear spending taking place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Online fashion sales are at their highest on Sunday evenings, peaking at around 9pm.
Electronics purchases, meanwhile, are more likely to be made online during the working week, with Friday mornings between 10am and 11am proving the busiest period for digital sales.
Conor Langford, Visa’s Ireland country manager, said the figures demonstrated that consumers were increasingly combining digital convenience with traditional shopping habits.
“Irish consumers have embraced the speed, choice and convenience of online shopping, particularly during busy working days,” he said.
“However, what stands out is the continued importance of in-store shopping in supporting local businesses and communities across Ireland.”
Langford added that retailers needed to be equipped to meet customer expectations across both physical and digital channels.
“At Visa, we’re focused on helping businesses of all sizes, especially small and local retailers, access the tools and technology they need to thrive, enabling them to offer seamless, secure payment experiences both in-store and online.”
The report also highlights notable regional differences in consumer spending patterns.
Clare, Cork and Dublin are Ireland’s most e-commerce-oriented counties, with around 19% of all retail spending taking place online.
Meanwhile, shoppers in Dublin, Kildare and Meath are the most likely to spend at weekends, with approximately 31% of total retail spending occurring on Saturdays and Sundays.
Consumers in more rural counties continue to favour shopping locally and in person.
In Roscommon, Carlow and Westmeath, more than 83% of retail spending takes place in physical stores, underlining the continued importance of town-centre retailers and local businesses.
Jean McCabe, chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland, said the data highlighted the evolving nature of Irish retail.
“Ireland’s retail sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, evolving in line with changing consumer behaviours while remaining a vital contributor to the economy and local communities,” she said.
“This latest data highlights how shoppers are seamlessly blending online convenience with in-store experiences. Card payments play a critical role in enabling this flexibility, helping retailers of all sizes deliver secure, seamless transactions and meet customers wherever and whenever they choose to shop.”
