Retail sales rose by 2.8 per cent in the month to April, and increased by 7.5 per cent in the 12 months from April last year, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office .
The largest monthly volume increases were recorded in bars, up 14 per cent, motor trades, up 10.3 per cent, and clothing, footwear and textiles, where sales were up 9.5 per cent.