Report urges firms to re-examine consumer interaction

An Irish Lifestyles report is urging Irish businesses to re-evaluate how they interact with customers.

It suggests 48% of people now rely on the internet for infomation about products and services.

In a seperate survey, Retail Ireland said there has been a significant deterioration in company sentiment since the early summer.

The Report by MINTEL said: "The days of the passive consumer are over with people no longer taking the information they receive from companies at face value."

The survey also examined the impact the recession has had on Irish consumer lifestyles in terms of shopping behaviour, spending habits and attitudes towards value, big business and fiscal responsibility.

The findings suggest Irish consumers are now bypassing traditional methods when searching for information, with 48% turning to the internet as their first port of call.

The difficult economic climate has made consumers more aware of not only their spending habits but also the information being given to them by companies eager to attract their business.

Today's Irish consumer is also more price conscious than at any stage in the last decade and the survey also showed people are requiring claims and guarantees be backed up with proof and evidence before parting with their cash.

To conclude, the survey showed companies are having to work far harder to convince and satisfy more demanding and sceptical consumers