Irish fashion spend rises as digital channels and local brands gain ground, Visa data shows.
Spending at Irish fashion businesses increased by 3% in August, according to new cardholder data from Visa, the global payments company and title sponsor of Ireland Fashion Week.
The figures, released ahead of the event’s opening on 6 October, highlight the sector’s growing contribution to the Irish economy.
“More shoppers are seeking out, discovering, and buying from Irish fashion brands online”
Visa’s data also points to a 3% year-on-year rise in fashion spending in August, compared with the same month in 2024. Women’s accessories and sports apparel emerged as two of the fastest-growing sub-sectors over the past year.
Digital commerce continues to reshape consumer behaviour. A survey commissioned by Visa found that 62% of respondents now prefer to shop for fashion online, citing convenience as the main driver. 37% said they favour online shopping to avoid crowds and queues.
Local businesses put best foot forward
Support for local businesses remains strong. 44% of those surveyed said they deliberately choose to shop online from small Irish fashion brands, rather than international ones, in order to support local jobs and communities. The survey also found that 41% of respondents consider it important that the fashion items they purchase come from Irish-owned brands, with 14% saying they actively seek them out.
Almost a quarter of respondents, 24%, said they prefer to buy from small and medium-sized Irish fashion brands over larger Irish or international chains. 61% reported making a purchase from a small Irish-owned fashion brand in the past year. The average monthly spend on fashion was €87.80, with 82% of respondents spending up to €150 per month.
Digitalisation is also changing how shoppers discover new brands. 56% of respondents said they find new fashion labels through search engines, online browsing, and social media platforms. 12% reported using AI tools to search for or compare fashion products, while a further 32% expressed interest in trying AI to enhance their shopping experience.
Security and trust remain top priorities for online shoppers. 59% of those surveyed said they look for secure payment options such as Visa, while 58% prioritise clear return and refund policies and 55% value fast delivery options.
Visa’s sponsorship of Ireland Fashion Week is intended to bring global recognition and industry expertise to one of the country’s most anticipated cultural events. The company said its commitment to innovation and support for small businesses aligns with the event’s focus on celebrating Irish creative talent and helping designers grow their businesses.
“Digital commerce is helping open doors for small, local fashion brands to reach new customers like never before,” said Conor Langford, Ireland country manager at Visa.
“Our data shows that spending within Ireland’s fashion sector is growing, and more shoppers are seeking out, discovering, and buying from Irish fashion brands online. This is driving real growth for Ireland’s economy. Visa is proud to support this momentum as title sponsor of Ireland Fashion Week, a platform that is celebrating local fashion talent and helping them turn their creativity into sales and new opportunities.”
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