Retail sales are down 3.6% on last year

IRISH consumers were less likely to dip into their wallets last month as the deterioration in the international economy heightened.

The volume of retail sales fell 0.4% last month to stand 3.6% lower on the year prior, according to figures from the CSO.

Taking out car sales, the volume of retail sales fell 3.7% in August from a year ago and dropped 0.5% month-on-month.