Retail sales grew by 0.2% on a monthly basis in November, the first monthly increase since last April, to stand 0.8% higher than a year ago, the latest Central Statistics Office figures show today.
Excluding volatile car sales, retail sales volumes were 0.7% higher on the month but down 0.9% year-on-year, the CSO added.
The Irish economy was the fastest growing in the euro zone in 2022 following a sharp post-pandemic rebound, but momentum slowed down throughout last year with activity flatlining in the third quarter.
Today's figures show that monthly increases were recorded in car sales, which rose by 3%, while Other Retail Sales were up 1.5%. These include the likes of carpets, music, games and toys, flowers, plants, seeds, fertilisers, pet food as well as jewellery.
Meanwhile, sales of clothing, footwear and textiles increased by 1.3%, and sales in non-specialised stores - including supermarkets - were up 1% and sales of books, newspapers and stationery grew by 0.5%.
The biggest monthly decreases were in furniture and Lighting sales, which dimmed by 2.8%, while sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores fell by 2.4%.
Sales in electrical goods slowed by 2.3%, while Department Stores sales were down 1.9%, and sales in bars fell by 1.6%.
The largest annual volume growth in November was seen in Other Retail Sales, which jumped by 16.4%, while motor sales were up 7% and furniture and lighting sales grew by 5.1%.
Sectors showing the biggest annual volume declines were Department Stores, with sales down by 13.6%.
Sales of food, beverages and tobacco in specialised stores slowed by 8.4%, while sales in bars were down 6.3% and clothing, footwear and textiles sales fell by 5.1%.
Today's CSO figures also reveal that the proportion of retail Sales transacted online - from Irish registered companies - was 5.7% in November.
This compares with 5.1% in October and 6.3% in November 2022.
