The value of retail sales rose by 3.7 per cent in May 2002 compared to May 2001, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The May 2002 index was 0.9 per cent higher than the April 2002 index. However, if motor trades are excluded, the annual increase is 4.9 per cent.
The volume of retail sales increased by 0.3 per cent in May 2002 compared to May 2001. If motor trades are excluded the annual increase in volume is 1.3 per cent.
On a three-month basis, which give a more stable indication of recent underlying trends, the March 2002–May 2002 value figures show a 2.1 per cent decrease compared with the three months ending April 2002.