The value of retail sales rose by 6.2 per cent in July of this year compared to same period in 2000 according to figures released today the Central Statistics Office (CSD).
But the July index was 0.2 per cent lower than the June 2001 index.
The CSO said the volume of retail sales (excluding price effects) rose by 3 per cent in July 2001 compared to the same period last year. If motor sales are excluded, the increase in volume is 6.7 per cent.
However, over a three-month period, the May-July volume figures show only a 1 per cent rise compared with the three months prior to April 2001.
The CSO said the largest increase in the volume of sales was in the hardware, paint and glass sector at 9 per cent and that the largest fall in volume was in the furniture and lighting sector at 10.7 per cent.
