NY tops for retail therapy as Irish splash out €500m

IRISH shoppers spent €500 million in New York last year and regard the city as the best place for a blast of retail therapy, according to a survey by Visa Europe.

As many as 60% of respondents chose New York as the most iconic city to shop in, while 72% chose western Europe as the most popular travelling destination, with the US chosen by 48%.

The credit card was regarded by 74% of respondents as being a lot safer than cash when holidaying abroad and a similar percentage would not travel abroad without one.