RETAIL SALES:Retail sales continued to decline during the second quarter of 2012, according to a new report. Adverse weather conditions were blamed for the poor figures which saw sales decline by an average of 4.27 per cent when compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

Retail Excellence Ireland, which compiled the report, said this was the 13th consecutive quarter in which sales declined. The groups Irish Retail Industry Performance Review Q2 2012 shows the worst performing sectors included garden centres, down 19.9 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, furniture and flooring, down 9.5 per cent and women’s fashion, down 7 per cent.

The best performing retail industry sectors included hot beverages, up by 1.4 per cent and pharmacy, up 0.75 per cent. Retail Excellence Ireland said hot beverage sales were helped by bad weather conditions in the second quarter and pharmacy sales were buoyed by strong flu-related sales.

Other poorly performing sectors in the second quarter included jewellery, gift and homeware and footwear, which all saw sales declines.