Retail sales in the run up to Christmas were down slightly on previous years with sales of cigarettes and alcohol showing a marked decline, figures from the Central Statistics Office today show.
The retail sales index for December shows that retail sales volume, which strips out price effects, was 0.1 per cent weaker than in the same month in 2002.
The December figures - which are based on sample estimates - show beverage and tobacco sales in all retail outlets were down 3.9 per cent on the previous year and bar sales were down 5.9 per cent.
While the pubs may have been quieter than usual, clothing retailers enjoyed a buoyant holiday season. Sales of clothes and shoes rose by 6 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively and department stores saw a 2.1 per cent rise in sales.
November is the last month for which detailed results are available and confirm the trend of falling bar sales. Sales in bars - which include drink and cigarettes - were down 6.2 per cent in November compared to the same month in 2002.