Retail sales rose by 2.4 per cent in June 2002 compared to June 2001, according to the Central Statistics Office.
The June 2002 index was 1.4 per cent lower than the May 2002 index. However, if motor trade figures are excluded, the annual increase is 6.4 per cent, the figures show.
The volume of retail sales decreased by 0.5 per cent in June 2002 compared to June 2001. If motor trade figures are excluded, the annual increase is 3 per cent.
On a three-month basis, which give a more stable indication of recent underlying trends, the April 2002–June 2002 volume figures show a 1 per cent decrease compared with the three months ending March 2002.
May is the latest month for which final detailed sectoral figures are available.
The three month March 2002 – May 2002 volume figures show that, compared with the three months ending February 2002:
- the largest increase in the volume of sales was in footwear and leather sector (+5.4 per cent);
- the largest decrease in the volume of sales was in the motor trade sector (-7.0 per cent);
- all figures are seasonally adjusted based on patterns up to December 2001.