There was a 4.8% fall in the volume of retail sales between May and June – with an annual increase of 4.1%, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office.
When car sales are excluded, there was a rise in retail sales volumes in June was 0.8%, while the annual change was a 7.1% jump.
The sectors with the largest monthly volume decreases were hardware, paints & glass (-5.9%), and motor trades (-3.9%).
Meanwhile, the sector with the largest month-on-month volume increase was books, newspapers and stationery (3.5%).
The CSO figures show that on the value front, there was a decrease of 4.1% in retail sales in June when compared with May, and there was an annual increase of 1.6%.
If motor trades are excluded, there was no change in the value of retail sales when compared to the previous month and an annual increase of 3.5%.
Commenting on the figures, Alan McQuaid from Merrion Economics said: "Personal spending growth is expected to be positive again in 2017, boosted by a further fall in unemployment, but with the increase in headline sales likely to be lower than last year.
"The early indications are that new car sales this year will be down on 2016, but other areas of expenditure will pick up. Indeed, excluding motor trades, a higher retail sales rise than 2016 is anticipated.
"Taking all the factors into account, we are now forecasting headline retail sales volume growth of 3.0-3.5% in 2017. Meanwhile, 'core' sales are projected to be 6.5-7.0% higher in the year."
