New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the volume of retail sales rose by 0.2% in September when compared with August on a seasonally adjusted basis.
On an annual basis, the CSO said that retail volumes were 3.5% higher than in September of last year.
When car sales are excluded, the volume of retail sales rose by 0.6% in the month and by 1.7% in the year, the CSO added.
Today's figures show the sectors with the biggest monthly volume increases were Department Stores, with sales there up 6.5%, while Clothing, Footwear & Textiles sales rose by 3.6% and sales of Electrical Goods were up 2.6%.
But monthly decreases were recorded in Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores) with sales down 2.6%, while Fuel sales slowed by 1.1%.
On an annual basis, the CSO said the highest volume growth was recorded in Motor Trades, which increased by 8.8%, while sales of Hardware, Paints & Glass were up 8.5%, and Other Retail Sales (including the likes of carpets, games and toys, flowers, plants, jewellery and pet food) rose by 5.7%.
The sectors with the biggest annual declines were Food, Beverages & Tobacco (Specialised Stores), which declined by 9.7%, while Furniture & Lighting sales fell by 3.1% and Fuel sales slowed by 2.7%.
The CSO said the value of retail Sales was 0.2% higher in September than in August and was up by 4.6% when compared with September of last year.
