The volume of retail sales grew by 4.7 per cent in 2007, the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show.
There was a 1.7 per cent increase in the volume of sales between November and December following a 0.6 per cent decrease the previous month.
If motor trades are excluded the annual increase was 5.7 per cent and the monthly change for December was 0.7 per cent, the CSO said.
The figures indicate the value of retail sales increased by 6.8 per cent in December 2007 compared to December 2006 and by 1.7 per cent in the month.
However, if motor trades are excluded, the annual increase was 6.7 per cent and the monthly change was 0.3 per cent.
The largest increase in the volume of sales for the three-month period between September and November was in the other retail sales sector which rose 3.6 per cent.
The largest decrease in the volume of sales was in the books, newspapers & stationery sector which fell 2.4 per cent.