"Retail sales volumes increased by 4.3% year on year in October, the fastest growth rate since April this year.
"The sectors with the strongest growth this month were non-store retailing up 11.5% over the past year and household goods stores, which saw a 10.8% increase. Department stores also continued to post positive results with growth in volumes of 8.2% over the past year. The strength of the housing market and in the increase in housing market transactions is impacting positively on retail activity.
"Prices achieved (excluding petrol) declined over the past year by 1.2%, while prices at department stores and household goods stores fell by 1.8%.
"The total value of retail sales values increased by 2.8% in the month. On line sales increased by 7.5% in the month accounting for just over 11% of all retail activity.
"Our forecasts for the year are largely unchanged. For the year as a whole we now expect retail sales to have increased by 3.5% in 2014 slowing slightly to 3.3% in the following year. The strong start to the “Golden Quarter” for retail may yet lead to an upward revision for the current year."