Ripple effect' of property upsurge now being hailed by retailers

Increased housebuying activity is having a ripple effect into other sectors of the economy, most notably home improvements businesses, including retailers selling bulky goods.

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show year-on-year, furniture and lighting sales have risen in each of the last nine months, and turnover increased by 29.8 per cent in the year to April.

Dr John McCartney, economist and director of research at Savills, said: “This is being ...