Good weather helps Q2 retail sales

Retail sales increased by almost 2% during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year.
According to Retail Excellence Ireland, the rise is due to the more clement weather this year, especially in April, with a significant rise in fashion, footwear and garden sales.
However, retail sales dropped last month with IT, Photo and Pharmacy continuing to suffer significant rates of decline.
The group says the rise in the number of Irish families holidaying abroad was a contributory factor.