SPENDING in Donegal fell by six per cent in September, according to Bank of Ireland’s latest debit and credit card spending report which shows that consumers are tightening their belts.
September’s figures painted a relatively gloomy picture when compared to the recent summer months, with spending falling in every county.
In comparison to Donegal’s six per cent drop there were near double-digit decreases recorded in Dublin and Sligo (both down nine per cent).
Meanwhile spending in counties Cork, Mayo and Limerick all fell by eight per cent.
Social spending fell back quite significantly in September, with the data revealing an overall 16 per cent monthly decline.
Pub spending was down by 28 per cent, outlay in restaurants dropped by 22 per cent, and people ordered less from fast food outlets – which posted a spending decline of 18 per cent.
As children returned to school and their parents made their way back to the office, September spending on hotels and resorts declined by 26 per cent.
The Retail sector also witnessed spending falls in September, with very few areas spared.
Spending on men’s and women’s clothing dropped by twelve per cent, supermarket outlay fell by ten per cent, while florists and beauty spas both witnessed monthly spending declines.
Commenting on September’s spending data, Jilly Clarkin, Head of Customer Journeys and SME Markets at Bank of Ireland said, “August is usually a month where workers shut down their laptops, children pack for an adventure and holiday season kicks into overdrive.
Therefore, it won’t come as much of a surprise for many people to see the September spending stats indicating that consumers nationwide pulled back a little last month and saved up for what could well be a harsh winter.”
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