Strong Irish consumer demand for cars drove the volume of retail sales to increase marginally in November 2003 in what was the third rise in four months.
Data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today showed the volume of retail sales grew by 0.2 per cent in the month and 1.2 per cent on the year. The yearly rise was slightly below expectations.
Part of the monthly rise was driven by a strong demand for cars. If motor sales were excluded, there was a decrease in the volume of retail sales of 0.4 per cent.
The value of retail sales increased by 2.9 per cent in the 12 months to November 2003 and 0.1 per cent on the month.
In this case too, strong motor sales were a major driving force. If motor trades were excluded the value of monthly retail sales dropped by 0.9 per cent between October and November.
The was an 8.8 per cent rise in the volume of retail sales, the largest increase during the period between July and October 2003.