Retail sales figures published on Friday pointed to healthier outlook for the high street with volumes up considerably.
However, it masked a less impressive increase in the value of retail sales in the same period.
Fergal O'Brien, chief economist with employers' group Ibec, said one of the factors that has to be taken into account is car sales, which can distort the overall numbers.
"Car sales account for a very big proportion of overall retail sales at the moment. They are growing by 20% but we see a big replacement factor playing a role here as people are buying new cars out of necessity," he pointed out.
Excluding car sales, the volume is still very positive with growth of 5% registering in the retail sector.
"However, in order to achieve that level, retailers are having to cut prices by 3%. We saw that price pressure coming into the grocery and clothing trade in 2014 when retailers had to cut by 2% to get volume growth of 4%," he said.
"It's still a challenging retail environment. While we're seeing recovery, the overall level of turnover activity is down 20% from the peak."
Mr O'Brien said the euro-sterling exchange rate would also be a factor in the coming months.
"Exports are doing very well and the border retailers will benefit, but we're going to see price pressures filtering through. We could be looking at a 10% swing in euro-sterling and we typically see a lag of about three to six months before that passes down. Many of the British retailers will have to pass that on those price increases which will lead to higher grocery and clothes prices," he concluded.
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Six senior executives at the bailed out Dutch bank ABN Amro have renounced bonuses worth 100,000 euro each after a public outcry over the pay out.
In a statement, the bank said it regretted the turbulence that had arisen over the issue.
ABN Amro was nationalised in 2008 during the financial crisis.
The Dutch government had been planning to take the bank public this year, but that was put on hold after the controversy over the bonuses erupted.
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Japan's industrial output fell at the fastest pace in eight months in February.
Output was down almost 3.5%, much worse than an anticipated 1.8% fall.
A small slowdown was expected due to the timing of the Lunar New Year, but such a rapid fall suggests domestic demand is much weaker than anticipated, adding to concerns about the state of the overall Japanese economy.
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Renewables group, Gaelectric, has acquired interests in two wind energy projects in Kilkenny and Tipperary.
It has taken over the Ballybay Wind Farm in Kilkenny and has acquired a 50% interest in Cnoc Wind Farm at Grange, Co Tipperary.
Staying with energy and the cost of buying natural gas on the wholesale market fell in March with average wholesale prices down 4% year on year, according to Vayu Energy, which supplies gas to over a fifth of Ireland's industrial and commercial market.
The drop in prices resulted from increased supplies which have offset higher demand because of colder weather, but the weak euro offset larger price falls in the UK.
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The luxury goods maker Prada has announced lower net income and profits for the full financial year.
Net income at the Italian brand fell 28% to €451m in the year to the end of January, and was lower than expected.
Growing retail sales in the Americas and Japan failed to offset declines in Greater China and Europe.
Currency volatility is also having an impact.
