December retail sales figures disappoint
The volume of retail sales decreased by 0.1% in December 2012 when compared with the previous month, official figures have revealed today.
The report from the Central Statistics Office also showed a 1% decrease in retail sales volume on an annual basis.
If motor trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 0.8% in December 2012 when compared with November 2012, with an annual increase of 0.8%.
The sectors with the largest month-on-month volume increases were Department Stores (+6.3%), Bars (+4.4%) and Books, Newspapers & Stationery (+3.4%).
The sectors with the largest monthly decreases were Furniture and Lighting (-7.1%) and Other Retail Sales (-3.1%).
There was no change in the value of retail sales in December 2012 when compared with November, with an annual decrease of 0.7%.
If Motor Trades are excluded, there was a monthly increase of 0.3% in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 1.1%.
