Retail sales volumes dropped by 0.4% in October when compared to the previous month, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show.
When compared to last October, sales were down 0.2%.
When car sales are excluded, the volume of retail sales fell by 0.6% in the month, and rose by 0.3% when compared to the same time last year.
The figures show that monthly decreases were recorded in many areas including furniture and lighting sales which were down 3.5%, and motor trades - down 1.1%.
Monthly sales across hardware, paints and glass were down 0.9%, while clothing footwear and textile sales were down 0.6%.
The CSO noted that the largest monthly increases were in fuel - up 4.5%, electrical goods - up 1.6%, bars - up 1.3% and food, beverages and tobacco, up 1.2%.
On an annual basis, the data shows that the largest volume declines in October 2023 were in department stores, clothing, footwear and textiles, books, newspapers and stationery, and food, beverages and tobacco.
Sectors showing the highest annual volume growth in October 2023 were so-called 'other retail sales', pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles, furniture and lighting and fuel.
Overall, the value of retail sales in October was down by 0.2% in the month, but up by 3% in the 12 month period.
The proportion of retail sales carried out online from Irish registered companies was 5.2% in October, compared with 4.9% in September and 4.6% in October 2022.
