Sharp drop in clothing sales during May - CSO

Central Statistics Office data shows that while retail sales were down 1.7% overall year on year, they were 9.2% up on 2021 

Despite the drop in figures reported by the CSO, fashion retailers have reported resilient demand in the face of the cost of living crisis.

Retail sales of clothing, footwear and textiles fell by more than 20% in May new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows.

In its monthly update, the CSO said the overall volume of retail sales fell by 1.6% in the month but was up by 5.1% compared to May of last year. When motor trades are excluded, retail sales rose by 0.1% in the month and by 2.6% in the year.