Irish confidence on rise as UK consumers cut costs, according to research

Ireland is now the fourth most confident country in Europe with consumer sentiment here higher than in the UK for the first time in nearly nine years, according to market research firm Nielsen.

In its latest quarterly global survey of consumer confidence and spending intentions, Nielsen said Ireland is currently at positivity levels not seen since the end of 2007; with nearly 60% of people feeling upbeat about their personal finances and their job prospects.

“Increasing consumer confidence has been a continuing trend in Ireland over the last few years due to a steady improvement in the Irish economic situation. This increase in confidence has translated to consumers spending more on groceries, driving both volume and value growth in the sector,” said Matt Clark, Nielsen’s commercial director for Ireland.