Public positive but still cautious

Consumer confidence increased in August, but the public remains some way off being strongly optimistic, a new survey shows.

The latest consumer sentiment index published yesterday by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI shows confidence grew marginally last month and the index exceeded 100 points for only the third time in 10 years.

The index follows last week’s July retail sales data, from the CSO which showed a near 12% decade-high rise in consumer spending volume.