Retail Sales Volume decreased by 0.6% in April 2017

Seasonally adjusted, the volume of retail sales decreased by 0.6% in the month of April, with an annual increase of 1.6%. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 0.4% in the volume of retail sales in April 2017 when compared with March 2017 and there was an increase of 6.4% in the annual figure.

The sectors with the largest monthly volume decreases were Motor Trades (-1.7%), Books, Newspapers & Stationery (-1.2%).  The sectors with the largest month on month volume increases were Department Stores (8.3%), Furniture & Lighting (3.9%) and Bars (1.6%).

There was a decrease of 0.9% in the value of retail sales in April 2017 when compared with March 2017 and there was an annual decrease of 0.8% when compared with April 2016. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 0.2% in the value of retail sales and an annual increase of 3.4%.

Unadjusted indices are available on CSO Statbank.

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