Hardware and motor sales lead an increase in April retail figures

April saw the largest annual sales increase but was compared with a historically low base as full impact of the first lockdown took hold

Catherine Street and Thomas Street in Limerick's city centre this week. May saw the full reopening of the retail sector. Picture: Brian Arthur

A surge in the sale of motor vehicles, furniture and hardware items helped April to the largest ever increase in sales while the slump experienced by the bar and restaurant sector continued.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office show sales in April jumped by 90.1% compared to April of last year when much of the retail sector was closed as the country entered its first lockdown. Compared to March of this year, the CSO figures show a 7.4% increase.