Retail Sales volume decreased by 0.6% in January 2018

Seasonally adjusted, the volume of retail sales decreased by 0.6% in the month of January, with an annual increase of 1.3%. If Motor Trades are excluded, there was an increase of 1.1% in the volume of retail sales in January 2018 when compared with December 2017 and there was an increase of 5.7% in the annual figure.

The sectors with the largest monthly volume decreases were Department Stores (-4.2%) and Motor Trades (-0.9%).  The sectors with the largest month on month volume increases were Other Retail Sales (18.4%) and Pharmaceuticals,Medical & Cosmetic Articles (8.1%).

There was an increase of 0.7% in the value of retail sales in January 2018 when compared with December 2017 and there was an annual decrease of 0.7% when compared with January 2017. If Motor Trades are excluded there was an increase of 0.8% in the month and an increase of 3.2% in the annual figure.

CSO reports