Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that retail sales fell back in February after an exceptionally strong performance in January.
The volume of sales was 1.6% lower, giving an annual increase of 6%. The volume of sales had jumped by 4.9% in January. The value of sales, which takes account of prices, fell 0.7%, giving an annual increase of 8.2%.
One of the main factors in the falls was a 2.5% drop in the volume of motor sales compared with January. Department store sales were up 6.5% in the month, however, while bar sales edged up 0.5%.
