Irish consumers spent more in the shops last month according to new CSO figures which show the volume of retail sales rose by 0.7% in July, compared to the previous month.
However, year-on-year it has fallen by 1.5%.
Month-on-month increases were seen in fuel, clothing and hardware items while decreases were recorded in bars and electrical goods.
Meanwhile, consumer sentiment is at its highest level in almost five years according to the latest survey from KBC Bank and the ESRI.
It rose to 70 points in August, up from 67.7 in July.
