The latest national retail figures make for “very bleak and depressing reading” as the effect of the lockdown is thrown into sharp relief.

The Central Statistics Office said retail sales in April fell by 35% compared to March.

The value of those sales dropped by nearly 40% compared to March and nearly 45% compared to April 2019.

It marks the largest monthly decrease since January 2009 – and comes after sales in March fell by 12.5% on the month before.

Retail sales index April 2020. Image: CSO

The only rises were recorded in food, drinks and tobacco sales, which were up by just under 2%.

Economist Alan McQuaid said the figures highlight the long road to recovery facing the sector.

“It is no great surprise given the extent of the lockdown but they make for very bleak and depressing reading,” he said.

“Effectively all sectors suffered record falls in the month – like massive falls.

“Only helped to some degree by online sales but effectively all sectors were really badly hit with the exception of the food stores and supermarkets which posted increases.”

Retail sales volume April 2020. Image: CSO

The restrictions have led to an increase in online sales with the internet now accounting for 15.5% of the total turnover of Irish retailers.

The proportion of clothes, shoes and textiles sold online was eight-times higher in April than in March at 81%, while online sales of electrical goods jumped from 15.2% to 60%.

Some of the other retail sectors hardest hit by the lockdown include furniture and lighting (down 84%), bars (down 77%) and motor sales down 71%.