DUBLIN, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Irish retail sales volumes grew
0.3% in September compared to the previous month and were 12.6%
up on pre-pandemic levels in the same period of 2019, Central
Statistics Office data showed on Thursday.
The largest monthly increase was recorded in bars, where
sales were 12.6% higher but still 20% down on September 2019.
Overall sales were 0.7% higher than the same month a year ago,
when COVID-19 restrictions were slightly tighter.
Separate credit and debit card usage compiled by the central
bank has shown spending to Oct. 17 rose 13% year-on-year, before
the busy reopening of nightclubs and other entertainment venues
for the first time in 19 months last weekend.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Toby Chopra)