Retail sales down 5.2% in June compared to last year

The volume of retail sales in Ireland was 5.2% lower in June of this year than it was in the same month last year, according to the latest CSO figures.

The statistics agency says a 14% drop in car sales is responsible for a large amount of the fall.

Elsewhere, furniture and lighting sales are down 18%, while sales of electrical goods have dropped by 10%.

Sales of clothing and footwear are up 5%, however, while pharmaceutical and cosmetic sales are up almost 4%.