New figures for the retail sector show a rise of 5.9% in September, when compared to the same period last year.

According to the latest statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), there was also a 0.1% rise in volume for September when compared with August.

But if motor trades are excluded, there was a decrease of 0.6% in the volume of sales in September against August - and there was an increase of 3.1% in the annual figure.

The sectors with the largest month on month increases were other retail sales including hardware, paints, glass and fuel.

The sectors with the largest monthly decreases were furniture and lighting, books, newspapers and bars.

Philip O'Sullivan is chief economist with INVESTEC. He explains what the figures mean.