Retails sales see slight drop

Consumers remained cautious last month with the volume of retail sales dropping by 0.7% in the year to February.

However, new figures from the CSO show that when motor sales are excluded, the drop in sales was much greater t 3.2%.

Motor sales rose by 5% in February, compared to January.

Sales volumes increased in clothing, footwear and textiles but the figures were offset by a drop in pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic products.