Retail sales volume increases by 3.2%
The volume of retail sales (excluding price effects) increased by 3.2% in September 2004, compared to September 2003, according to the Central Statistics Office.
There was a monthly decrease of 1.9%. If motor trades are excluded, the annual increase was 2.7% and the monthly change was -0.4%.
The value of retail sales increased by 4.7% in September 2004 compared to September 2003 and decreased by 1.6% in the month. However, if motor trades are excluded, the annual increase was 3.4% and the monthly change was -0.1%.
August is the latest month for which final detailed figures are available. The three-month June 2004 to August 2004 volume figures show that, compared with the three months ending May 2004, the largest increase in the volume of sales was in the electrical sector (+8.3%).
The largest decrease in the volume of sales was in the motor trade (-2.0%) sector.
All figures are trading day and seasonally adjusted. The seasonal factors are based on unadjusted indices up to April 2004.
