Online shopping continues to increase

The popularity of online shopping continues to gather momentum with latest figures showing a significant upswing in April as unseasonably cold weather took its toll on the high street.

Overall, the rate of growth of household expenditure across all payment types signalled a rebound in April with spending up 9.7% year-on-year.

Figures from Visa Europe’s Irish Consumer Spending Index show recreation and culture remain the best-performing sectors, up 20.7%, much of it attributed to attempts by consumers to escape the dreary weather by booking trips with travel agents.

Philip Konopik, country manager, Ireland, Visa Europe said uncertainty surrounding the negotiations of the formation of the next Government had no effect on Irish consumer spending but bad weather had.

“Poor weather will have contributed to the eCommerce spike, and the strong increase in recreation and culture spend, particularly on cruises and travel to the United States,” Mr Konopic said, adding that it was “a clear sign of increased optimism among households.”

The clothing and footwear sector posted growth of just +1.8% year-on-year, the weakest performance since October 2014.

Transport and communication benefited from bookings with airlines and strong car sales, resulting in a +13.7% year-on-year increase in spending.

Double-digit expansions in expenditure were also recorded in the health and education sector, household goods and hotels, and restaurant and bars sectors.