Retail sales fall but purchasing power is set to increase this year

Meanwhile, the value of retail sales also fell by 1.4% in the month and rose by 0.2% in the 12 months to June.

Retail sales slumped in June despite cooling inflation as shoppers spent less on clothing and pubs as some cost pressures linger and schools break for the summer.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed the volume of retail sales fell 1.2% last month compared to May and declined by almost 1.8% in annual terms.