Retail sales fell by 14% in 2009

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Retail sales were particularly hard hit early in 2009 by a dramatic slump in motor sales, but stabilised in the later months of the year.

For December, the volume of sales rose by 0.4% from November. Sales were down 7.5% compared with December 2008, which was the smallest annual drop recorded last year.

The December figures were boosted by an 8.3% monthly increase in the motor sector.

There were monthly increases in most categories of sales in December, but almost all are still well down compared with December 2008.