Consumer spending up 9% in May

The month of May broke records for most card transactions by AIB customers with just over 80m.

Consumer spending during May increased by 9%, compared to the same period last year, driven by additional spending on hotels, pubs, and concert tickets, data from AIB’s Spend Trend shows.

According to the data, spending in hotels increased 8% year-on-year with Saturday, May 31, being the best day of the year for the sector, particularly in Dublin, likely driven by events such as Bloom and the VHI Women’s Mini-Marathon.

Spending in pubs also increased 10% month-on-month, with the largest increase in spend in Limerick, up 16%, followed by Louth and Longford, up 15%.

The smallest increases were recorded in Wicklow, Roscommon, and Carlow, all of which were up 7%.

There was also a surge in ticket purchases on Friday, May 30, as Metallica tickets went on general sale for their two day Aviva Stadium concerts in June 2026. Ticket transactions were 76% above average on the day.

In addition, spending in cinemas increased 17%, compared to last year, with the release of two summer blockbusters Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo and Stitch.

Other areas which saw an increase in spending during the month include groceries, which increased by 8% year on year; and hardware, up 6% year-on-year. Spending on electric car charging increased 83% year-on-year.

During the first five months of the year, overall consumer spending is also up 9% compared to the same period in 2024.

Adrian Moynihan, the head of consumer at AIB, said the increased spending by customers shows “consumer confidence remains strong and is vital for businesses, enabling them to plan for both peak and off-peak periods throughout the year to effectively meet their customers’ needs”.

In comparison to April, spending on clothing increased by 8% during May — with 73% of all clothing spending by women and 58% of it was in shops.

During the month, people in Cavan spent the most on clothes per transaction at €72.59, while people in Westmeath spent the least at €58.94.

The month of May also broke records for most card transactions by AIB customers with just over 80m.