Retail sales in Ireland in June have increased for the first time in four months.

The Central Statistics Office revealed that the volume of retail sales, excluding cars, in Ireland was 2% higher in June than in the previous month. The value of sales grew by 0.1%.

Clothing and footwear and department store sales drove the performance, reflecting lower prices on the high street.

While almost all retail sectors reported an annual decrease in sales in June, clothing and footwear notched up a 3.2% monthly increase in sales volumes.

Year-on-year overall retail sales in Ireland dropped 5.5%.

Ulster Bank economist Lynsey Clemenger said the June figures were “an encouraging, if tentative, omen for retail prospects in the third quarter”.

source : Drapers