Consumers make a slow return to spending

CONSUMERS, although still cautious, were more inclined to spend last month and are less pessimistic about the year ahead.

The latest KBC/ESRI consumer sentiment index rose to 61.9 in March. This compares to a figure of 59.4 in February and an all-time low of 39.6 in July 2008.

The survey noted that despite the pick-up, consumers remain “very cautious” and although there is little prospect of a spending spree anytime soon, there are signals of a turnaround in household spending.