The CSO noted that the value of retail sales in the fuel sector rose by 20.5% in the year to August while the corresponding volume fell by 3.5% over the same period.

It said this reflected higher prices compared with the previous year.

The largest monthly volume increases were seen in the books, newspapers and stationery category, which rose by 28%, while bar sales were up 7.5%, fuel sales increased by 7.2% and department stores were up 6.9%, the CSO said.

With inflation running at an almost 40-year high of around 9%, the CSO said the value of retail sales were 4.4% higher than in July and 3.4% lower on the year.

The new CSO figures show that sales in bars, sales of pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles as well as clothing, footwear and textiles sales were the only sectors that showed an annual increase in the volume of sales in August.

But on bar sales, which were up 17.7%, the CSO cautioned on interpreting the increase as the comparison is with a low base from last year when some Covid-19 restrictions were still in place.

Despite the increase, bar sales are still 15.3% lower than its pre-Covid level in February 2020, the CSO added.

Meanwhile, the proportion of retail sales transacted online – from Irish registered companies – was 4.9% in August compared with 4.8% in July 2022, 4.8% in August 2021 and 4.5% in August 2020.

Retailers had posted their strongest monthly sales in more than a year in April, when they grew by 4.1%.

Even with annual inflation at a near 40-year high of 7.8%, the value of retail sales – excluding car sales – fell by 0.1% year-on-year in May, the first month-on-month drop this year.

Sectors with the biggest monthly gains included department stores, where sales jumped by 20.9%, while sales of electrical goods were up 9.2% and hardware, paints and glass sales increased by 6.5%.

The largest monthly volume decreases were seen in the furniture and lighting sector, with sales down 22.3%, while clothing and footwear sales fell 21.1% and car sales slowed by 7%.

The CSO noted that two sectors showed very large annual increases in the volume of sales in May compared with May 2021.

Bar sales soared 769% in May compared with the same time last year, but despite the large recovery they still remain 26.6% lower than their pre-Covid19 level in February 2020.

Books, newspapers and stationery also showed a large annual increase, jumping by 107%, which also reflected a recovery from a very low base in May 2021.

The CSO also noted that the value of sales in the fuel sector rose by 27.2% in the year to May 2022 while volumes fell by 0.5% over the same time, reflecting higher prices compared with the previous year.

Meanwhile, the proportion of retail sales transacted online, from Irish registered companies, rose to 6.1% in May compared with 4.9% in April and 5.6% the same time last year.

An Post said the costs are well below the current average European tariffs for postage delivery services.

It said the increases reflect transport, fuel and energy inflation, with international air freight prices increasing by up to 360% during the pandemic.

An Post CEO David McRedmond said: “While these increases are essential to cover rising costs, and ensure service continuity on a par with the very best in Europe, we will mitigate the impact on SMEs by increasing discounts available to them, while freezing the price of ten-stamp booklet for consumers and offering regular price promotions.”

An Post said existing stamps with ‘N’ (National) and ‘W’ (Worldwide) denominations will remain valid. There will be no change in the price of ten-stamp booklets, which currently cost €11.

An Post also said free postage to and from nursing homes and free newspaper deliveries for older people remain available and ‘check-in’s by postal delivery staff on older, vulnerable or isolated customers are now a standard part of the service.