New figures this evening show that the volume of retail sales rose by 1% in June compared to the same time last year, while there was a monthly decrease of 0.2%.
The figures had been due to be released next Tuesday but a statement from the Central Statistics Office this evening said that in finalising the arrangements this afternoon to meet the Tuesday deadline, the headline figure was unintentionally communicated externally via Twitter.
'In recognition of this, and having regard to the need to ensure transparency and equality of access to all CSO statistical outputs, the publication of the release has been brought forward to this evening,' the statement said.
The Central Statistics Office said it apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Today's figures show that if motor trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales fell by 1.3% in June 2010 compared to June 2009. The monthly change was 0.5%.
The CSO shows that the value of retail sales decreased by 2.8% in June compared to the June 2009. There was a monthly fall of 0.7%. If motor trades are excluded, there was an annual drop of 4.8% in the value of retail sales while the monthly change was a fall of 1.1%.
The figures today showed that in the year to June, motor trades were up 13.9%, while clothing, footwear and textiles sales rose by 2.6%.
