Retail sales volumes up 0.9% in September

The volume of retail sales increased by 0.9% in the month of September, according to official figures released today. The CSO numbers also show an annual increase of 1.4%. If motor trades are excluded, the volume of retail sales increased by 0.6% in September 2012 when compared with August 2012 and there was an annual increase of 1.4%. The sectors with the largest month-on-month volume increases are bars (4.5%) and electrical goods (2.8%) and department stores (2.6%). The largest monthly decreases were seen in books, newspapers & stationery (-10.7%), fuel (-1.8%) and food, beverages & tobacco – specialised stores (-1.5%). The value of retail sales increased by 0.9% in September 2012 when compared with August 2012 and there was an annual increase of 2.2%. If motor trades are excluded, there was a monthly increase of 0.5% in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 2.2%.