Online spending plummets but EV charging spending jumps 50%

Bank of Ireland predicts continued strong demand from the domestic tourism market this summer as higher long-haul travel costs

Online consumer spending fell 10% in June compared to 2025, new data from Bank of Ireland shows, with "flat" debit and credit card spending reported over the month. Picture: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

Online consumer spending fell 10% in June compared to 2025, new data from Bank of Ireland shows, with "flat" debit and credit card spending reported over the month.

Bank of Ireland's ‘Spending Pulse’ analysis for June showed online spending decreasing though in-person card spending remained relatively unchanged. Some sectors still saw strong growth, the bank said. Spending on EV charging surged by 50.1% with people travelling all over Ireland during the hottest period of June June 25-28) in comparison to last year.

During the sunny spell towards the end of the month from June 25 to June 28,  there was a significant increase in spending in florists (87.8%), swimming pool centres (63.6%), camping equipment (61.8%), car washes (39.9%), boat leases (26.1%) and pharmacies (18.8%), in comparison to the same period last year. 

Somewhat surprisingly, spending in pubs and off licenses during the high temperatures were flat.

The highest amount of money spent in-person was Friday, June 26, aligning with the hot weather, traditional payday, and significant events including Paul Weller at Live at the Marquee in Cork, Amble at Musgrave Park, The Cure in Marley Park in Dublin, and Lewis Capaldi in Thomond Park in Limerick.

“While overall card and online spending softened in June, the data shows consumers are still willing to spend on fun, cultural experiences. Interestingly, during the hot spell towards the end of the month, there was a spike in weather-related spending, such as car washes, camping equipment and boat hire," said Bank of Ireland head of retail sector Owen Clifford.

Meanwhile the spending pulse analysis also highlights a change in seasonal travel behaviour, with several traditional holiday destinations for Irish tourists dropped or were relatively flat for spending in comparison to June 2025. The data showed spending reductions by Irish consumers in Turkey (-7.8%); Spain (-3.8%); France (1.4%); and Portugal (0.7%). Nordic countries saw a spike in spending by Irish tourists with Finland  up 26.6%, Sweden 10.5%, and Denmark 10.3%. Spending also rose in several other destinations including Georgia (67.6%), Morocco (20.2%) and Moldova (11.6%).

Some long-haul destinations also dropped when compared with this period last year with a massive drop of 50.2% in spending in the United Arab Emirates, while Japan (-29.2%), New Zealand (-46%), Australia (-26.8%), and the USA (-15%) also fell. In contrast there was notable growth in spending by Bank of Ireland customers in Argentina (240.9%), Columbia (85.5%), Mexico (37.6%), and Canada (13.9%), with increased value-for-money likely driving stronger activity in parts of Latin America.

The bank predicts continued strong demand from the domestic market this summer as higher long-haul travel costs, security risks and ongoing geopolitical issues may tip the scales in favour of an Irish break, as well as the prolonged sunny spells.

"Higher costs of long-haul travel and geopolitical volatility continue to contribute to reduced airline spending," said Mr Clifford.