Retail sales in Ireland saw an uptick in March, but the majority of retail sectors saw little financial growth. The 1.7 percent jump in sales was the biggest month-over-month gain in a year, according to The Irish Times. However, most retailers saw little change in their monthly sales numbers.

According to the source, this could have been the result of merchants offering discounts and other deals to bring in customers. They may have seen a surge in transactions, but the lower cost of items could have offset the increase in foot traffic. However, the overall growth bodes well for this industry. Reuters reported that retail sales volume rose 8.9 percent compared to March 2013, giving Irish retailers and consumers hope for the nation's continued economic recovery.

While offering deals to consumers can be a great way to improve brand awareness and bring in new customers, there are other ways to achieve the same goals without losing money. Investing in modern, efficient point of sale systems could improve the shopping experience by offering shorter lines, faster checkouts and a larger range of payment options.