New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the volume of retail sales fell by 0.8% in March compared to February.
However on an annual basis, retail sales rose by 4.9% in March.
The CSO said that when car sales are excluded, monthly retail sales increased by 1.2% in March, while there was an annual increase of 8.2% - the highest annual rise in over three years.
In March, the sectors with the largest monthly volume increases included electrical goods - with sales up 2.7% - while sales of fuel rose by 2.4%.
The sectors with the largest monthly deceases included the motor trade, with sales down 7.1%, while hardware, paints and glass sales slowed by 3.7%
