December retail sales rise sharply

Irish retail sales grew at their fastest rate in almost six years last December.

Initial data from the Central Statistics Office showed the sales volume rose by 6.2 per cent, compared with the same period the year before and up 0.8 per cent on the previous month.

The value of sales - which takes account of prices - increased by 1.3 per cent in the month and by 7.8 per cent for the 12 months to December 2006.

Motor sales - which includes petrol and forecourt sales - jumped 5.1 per cent in the month, while electrical goods sales were up 6.5 per cent.

Bar sales increased by 1 per cent but remained nearly flat over the preceding 12 months.