Retail sales saw another slump in April - another indication of the tough consumer environment present in Ireland.
New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the volume of retail sales last month fell 0.8% on the March figure, and 3.9% on the April 2010 figure.
Many economists prefer to exclude motor sales from the overall figure to get a better picture of sales, as the car scrappage scheme has boosted these.
When motor sales are excluded, retail sales had a 1% monthly decrease, and fell 5% on the April 2010 figure.
A breakdown of the April figures showed increases in sales volumes for non-specialised stores (excluding department stores) (0.1%), department stores (1.4%), and clothing, footwear and textiles (1.6%).
There was a fall in fuel sales, however, which fell 0.2% in volume terms on the March figure, and 11.9% on April 2010.
Furniture and lighting was also down, 5.2% on the March figure, and 16.2% on the April 2010 figure.
Bar sales grew 1.5% on the March figure, but were still down 6.0% on the April 2010 figure.
The value of retail sales decreased 3.5% compared with April 2010, and fell 0.7% on the March 2011 figure.
With motor sales excluded, the value decreased 0.3% month on month, and 2.4% on the April 2010 figure.
Figures show enormity of the challenge
Retail Excellence Ireland said that the figures showed the enormity of the challenges facing Irish retailers and support the calls for reform of commercial rents and wage setting mechanisms.
'While disappointing, today's retail sales figures are certainly not surprising,' said David Fitzsimons, REI chief executive said.
'With sales levels continuing to fall, cumulatively by over 30% since the peak, and consumer confidence still at record low levels the retail industry needs immediate assistance by Government to reduce headline labour and property costs.'
The data continue to point to an exceptionally difficult consumer environment in Ireland, according to Dermot O'Leary of Goodbody Stockbrokers.
He said that the increase in fuel prices had had a major effect, and that ahead of the end of the car scrappage scheme, there were already signs of weakness in motor sales.
O'Leary said that while recent events in Ireland (the Queen's and US President's visit) may have a short-term positive impact on consumer confidence, there is little help coming from underlying drivers of consumer spending for the foreseeable future.
