November retail sales rise 2.8%

RETAIL sales got a welcome boost in November, rising 2.8% over the previous month. Bar sales rose 2.3%n in both value and volume terms.

Previously, the Irish Vintners Association claimed sales were down 25% since the introduction of the smoking ban in March last year. Davy Stockbrokers in a note on the November figures says the vintners have completely distorted that figure. Traditionally, sales in bars dip from September and start to pick up in November, rising sharply through Christmas.

The dip in sales is closer to 6% than the 25% claimed by the vintners, said the brokers.