The value of retail sales grew by 4.5 per cent between March and February this year, with car sales contributing almost 2 per cent of that rise.
Compared with March last year the value of retail sales was up 5.6 per cent in March 2004, according to data released by the Central Statistics Office today.
The volume of retail sales was ahead 5 per cent over the same period and was up 4.1 per cent between February and March 2004.
However, if Motor Trades were excluded the annual increase was 3.6 per cent and the monthly increase was 2.7 per cent.
The value of clothing sales dropped 0.3 per cent in March 2004 although over the previous 12-month period it was up 3.2 per cent.
Shoe sales dropped 2.4 per in Marcy and 1.6 per cent over the year. Pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics saw the largest fall in sales volume, declining in February 2004.