Slight rise in consumer confidence

The gap between the emerging recovery reported in recent months and the reality for many is hampering consumer confidence, new data finds.

The KBC Ireland/ ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index shows a slight recovery in confidence in June following a large slide the previous month. The Index increased marginally to 81.1 from 79.4 in June which, according to KBC Ireland chief economist, Austin Hughes, shows May’s sharp decrease was not an anomaly.

“The marginal rise in sentiment in June is encouraging but it also suggests the marked weakening in May was not an aberration.