RETAIL SALES fell for the third month in a row in April as consumer confidence in the economy continues to decline.

Data from the Central Statistics Office show the volume of retail sales dropped by 0.9 per cent during the month.

However, the fall was not as sharp as those observed in March (1.7 per cent) and February (1.8 per cent).

The figures show the volume of retail sales decreased by 3.2 per cent in the year to April.

If motor trades are excluded, there was an annual decrease of 2.9 per cent and the monthly change was down 3.1 per cent, the CSO said.

If the three months from January to March are compared to the previous three months ending in December, the largest decrease in the volume of sales was in the electrical goods sector, which fell 4.9 per cent.

The largest increase was in the hardware, paints and glass sector, where sales rose by 3.4 per cent.