The volume of retail sales fell by 0.7% in June when compared with the previous month.

It brings the annual decrease to 5.5%.

If motor sales are left out, retail sales fell by 1.5% in June compared to May.

Food, beverages and tobacco sales were the worst hit in June – falling by nearly 10%.

Hardware, paints and glass were down 4.8%, while fuel fell by nearly 4%last month.

Meanwhile, the value of retail sales also decreased last month, falling by 1.3% compared to May this year, contributing to an annual decrease of 4.9%.