New figures for the retail sector show a rise of 0.1 percent in volume in September when compared with August.
According to the latest statistics from the CSO, annual figures show a 5.9 percent increase in volume.
The sectors with the largest month on month increases were other retail sales including hardware, paints and glass and fuel.
Philip O'Sullivan, chief economist with INVESTEC explains what today's figures mean.
“What's very striking about today's release is that it's big ticket items have been leading the way in terms of annual growth in retail sales” he said.
“We've got things like motor trades are up 21 percent year on year, furniture and lighting up 19 percent year on year and hardware, paints and glass sales up 7 percent year on year”.
“What that mind of reflects is that the Irish consumer – after years of belt tightening – has had the confidence now to invest in these more expensive items” he added.
