Retail sales increased marginally month-on-month and in the year to the end of July, figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

The volume of retail sales rose 0.1% from June and 0.4% from July 2023, or 0.2% on both a monthly and annual basis when excluding motor trade.

The largest monthly volume increases were registered in clothing, footwear & textiles (+4.8%), pharmaceuticals, medical & cosmetic articles (+2.2%), furniture and lighting (+2.1%) and motor trades (+2%).

There were significant volume decreases, however, in bars (-13.5%), books, newspapers & stationary (-5.1%), and electrical goods (-2.4%).

On an annual basis, the largest volume increases were in hardware, paints & glass (+11.1%), department stores (+3.0%), and other retail sales (+1.8%).

The biggest declines were noted in bars (-16.2%), books, newspapers & stationery (-4.4%), electrical goods (-3.3%), and fuel (-2.4%).

The value of retail sales, meanwhile, increased 0.2% in the month and 1.2% in the 12 months to July.

Excluding motor trades, the value of retail sales rose by 0.4% in the month and increased by 1.5% on an annual basis.

The proportion of retail sales conducted online declined to 4.7% from 4.9% in June and 4.8% in July 2023. Excluding motor trade, retail sales share jumps to 6.2%.

(Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)