Shoppers busy but still cautious

CONSUMER confidence bounced back last month after slipping in February, according to a new survey by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and IIB Bank.

The monthly consumer sentiment index regained most of the previous month’s losses, largely thanks to renewed optimism on the jobs front.

IIB Bank economist Austin Hughes said the rebound in consumer sentiment contrasted with falling confidence levels in America, France and Germany. But consumers were still relatively cautious in their spending plans, he added.