The value of retail sales rose by 8.7 per cent in November 1998, compared to the same month in 1997, according to the latest figures available from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The November 1998 index was 3.3 per cent higher than the October 1998 index. The volume of retail sales - excluding price effects - increased by 7.7 per cent in November 1998, compared to November 1997.

"On a three-month basis, which gives a more stable indication of recent underlying trends, the September-November volume figures show a 0.8 per cent increase compared with the three months ending August 1998," the CSO said.