Retail sales dropped 0.7% in August compared with the year-earlier period, the central statistics agency CBS said on Tuesday.

Prices rose 2.4% while volume fell 3%. On average, turnover in June, July and August was 1% lower than in the year-earlier period.

August turnover in non-food shops fell less sharply than in previous months. Prices rose 2% compared with August 2012, while volume fell 3.7%, the CBS said.

For chemists, textile supermarkets and household goods shops turnover rose compared with a year ago. Shops selling DIY goods and consumer electronics fared worst.