Irish retail sales enjoy surge

Retail sales surged in April at their fastest rate for over 14 years, the first very strong evidence that confidence is returning to the Main Street.

Economists said they may upgrade their forecasts for economic growth this year on the back of the figures.

Excluding motor sales, the volume of retail sales rose by 3.1% in April from March, the fastest monthly increase since January 2001, and climbed by 7.8% in the year, the CSO figures showed.