Retail sales volumes rise by 1.1% in April

Sales across department stores, food, furniture and books were all up in the month, new CSO figures show 

Sales of food, beverages and tobacco also rose in the month, growing by 1.3%, with bars seeing a marginal rise of 0.3%. Photograph: Getty Images

The volume of retail sales rose in April with growth in department stores, books, newspapers and furniture underpinning a 1.1% increase in the month.

New figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Wednesday found that monthly retail sales actually fell when motor trades were excluded, dropping marginally by 0.1%. However, on an annual basis, retail sales were still up 1.1%.