The volume of Irish retail sales increased by 4.6 per cent in May, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO said there was a monthly decrease of 0.7 per cent and if motor trades are excluded the annual increase was 5.2 per cent, and the monthly change was 2.1 per cent.
The value of retail sales increased by 6.0 per cent in May compared with the same month last year but decreased by 0.6 per cent in the month.
However, if motor trades are excluded, the annual increase was 5.9 per cent and the monthly change was 1.9 per cent.
The figures show the largest increase in the volume of sales was in the textiles and clothing sector which jumped 8.3 per cent.
The largest decrease in the volume of sales was in the department stores sector, which fell 4.5 per cent.
