Further softening seen in cars, bars and big store sales

A further softening in retail sales is expected as the second half of the year progresses, after a continued slowdown in consumer spending in the past three months.

New CSO figures show that consumer spending volumes fell by 1.4%, year-on-year, in the three months to the end of July. The big losers were the motor trade, with car sales falling 8.5%; department stores, where sales fell 4.6%; and pubs and bars, where consumer spending fell a further 4.2%.