Retail sales up on last year’s figures

The volume of retail sales for August increased by 2.6% compared with the same month last year, although they fell by 1.6% compared with July.

Excluding the impact of motor sales, the volume of retail sales fell by 0.2% compared with July and rose by 1.2% compared with August 2012.

According to the Central Statistics Office the sectors with the largest month-on -month volume increases were electrical goods (+7.9%), furniture and lighting (+3.8%) and clothing, footwear and textiles (+2.6%).