Category: consumer

Consumer sentiment improved in June for the second month in a row, but remains well below levels recorded before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, a survey showed today.  The KBC Bank consumer sentiment index climbed to 61.6 in June from 52.3 in May, but remains some distance from February’s pre-pandemic reading of 85.2.  In […]

31% of consumers are more likely to continue shopping online for clothes, toys and electronic goods after Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, a survey conducted by Banking & Payment Federation Ireland shows. But one in five of those consumers who have shopped online for groceries, hardware and DIY or newspapers and magazines are less likely […]

A new survey shows that with the country more or less in full lockdown, job losses soaring and incomes under pressure, consumer and business confidence both sank in April.  The Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse came in at 34.3 in April, the lowest reading in its history.  The index, which combines the results of the […]

Consumer sentiment suffered its largest monthly drop on record in April, a survey showed today, demonstrating the scale and speed of the economic collapse unleashed by the coronavirus pandemic.  Restaurants, bars and non-essential retail outlets have been closed in stay-at-home restrictions put in place on March 29.  These restrictions are due to run until at […]

Euro zone sentiment suffered its steepest ever monthly decline in March as the coronavirus led to declining confidence among consumers and all sectors of the economy. In many cases the declines were evident even before crippling lockdowns were imposed.  Economic sentiment in the 19 countries sharing the euro fell to 94.5 points in March from […]

Consumer sentiment remained subdued in February as concerns over household finances largely cancelled out optimism around the economy in general, a new survey shows today. Ireland has remained the European Union’s fastest growing economy during three years of Brexit talks. But today’s survey shows that many consumers are not seeing an improvement to their financial […]

Consumer prices rose by 1.3% in the year to the end of January, according to the Central Statistics Office, maintaining the level recorded at the end of 2019. Prices fell on a monthly basis, however, by 0.7%. According to the CSO prices in education saw the biggest increase over the 12 month period, up 4.1%.  […]

Consumer sentiment hit a six-month high in January, buoyed by the reduced risk of a disorderly British exit from the European Union. But sentiment was still sharply lower in January than it was a year ago. Ireland has remained the European Union’s fastest growing economy during three years of Brexit talks, but consumer confidence faltered […]

Progress towards the achievement of a Brexit resolution has lifted consumer confidence this month, new research has found. But the Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse for November also recorded that despite the brighter consumer mood, Brexit uncertainty continues to weigh on businesses’ investment plans. The index, a composite of separate measures of consumer and business […]

Consumer sentiment fell for a fourth successive month for the first time since late 2012 as uncertainty over Brexit continued to weigh on confidence, a survey showed today.  While the economy here has remained the fastest growing in the EU throughout three years of Brexit talks, consumer confidence took a hit in recent months as […]