The volume of retail sales recorded last month fell by 3.9 per cent when compared to May but was up 5.4 per cent on an annual basis, according to new figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

If motor trade vehicles are excluded, the volume of sales was up by 0.4 per cent versus the previous month and by 5.8 compared to the same month in 2014.

The biggest increases in sales on a monthly basis were in books, newspapers and stationary, which were up 5.6 per cent, hardware, paints and glass, up 3.9 per cent and food, beverages and tobacco, up 2.1 per cent. The biggest decreases were in furniture and lighting, down 18.2 per cent, motor trades, down 8.1 per cent and clothing, footwear and textiles, down 2.4 per cent.

In terms of the value of retail sales, the latest figures show a 3.1 per cent annual increase. On a month-by-month basis however, the value of sales was down 1.7 per cent when compared with May.

Excluding motor trades, there was a monthly increase of 0.5 per cent in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 3.1 per cent.