The volume of retail sales rose 6.1% in July when compared to the previous month, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The rise was driven primarily by motor trades, which saw a 37.4% jump in sales during the month – most likely due to the introduction of the ‘132’ licence plate.
With car sales excluded the volume of retail sales rose 1.3% in June, on both a month-on-month and annual basis.
Books, newspapers and stationery saw sales rise by 16.2% while clothing, footwear and textiles were up 5.3%.
Sales of electrical goods and fuel saw the biggest falls in the month, at 4.9% and 4.2% respectively.
