New figures from the Central Statistics Office show that annual growth in retail sales volumes slowed to 1.4% in November from growth of almost 4% in the previous two months.
Retail sales volumes were 3.3% lower in November than October, today’s figures showed, with sales of medical and cosmetic goods and food, beverages and tobacco showing the sharpest declines.
The CSO noted that the four weeks under review ran from October 27 to November 23 and excluded Black Friday which fell on November 29. The previous year Black Friday had occurred earlier in November, falling on November 23.
The CSO said that when car sales are excluded, the volume of retail sales decreased by 1.2% in November on a monthly basis while they rose by 1.9% on a yearly basis.
Today’s figures show that sales of pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles slowed by 9%, while food, beverages and tobacco sales were down 6.5%.
The sectors with the largest monthly volume increases included bars and furniture and lighting, with sales in these areas rising by 2.1% and 2% respectively.
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