The volume of retail sales in the Republic rose by 5.0 per cent in February compared to 3.6 per cent in same period last year, suggesting a slight increase in economic activity.
Provisional figures from the Central Statistics Office showed the value of retail sales to have risen by 5.3 per cent in February compared with the previous month.
The figures also showed a year-on-year rise of 8.4 per cent in February. If the motor trades are excluded, the annual increase is 8.6 per cent.
On a three month basis, the December 2001-February 2002 volume figures show a 0.9 per cent increase with the three months ending November 2001.
The largest increase in the volume of sales was in the hardware, paint and glass sector at 5.7 per cent. The largest decrease was in furniture and lighting sector with 2.4 per cent.