Consumer confidence at lowest ever level in December

Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level ever in December 2012.

Consumer confidence at lowest ever level in December

Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level ever in December 2012.

The index, measured by KBC Bank Ireland and the ESRI, shows consumer spending fell from 63.8 in November to 49.8 in December.

The drop is one of the largest on record in the 17-year history of the records.

Austin Hughes of KBC Bank said the Budget played a big part in the decline.

"We've seen in the last couple of years that the Budget tends to have an exaggerated effect on consumer sentiment," he said.

"The hope is that we'll see some modest recovery in the months ahead. Consumers were much more nervous about their own household finances, and that's perfectly understandable after the range of budget measures."

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

FILE PHOTO The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the purchase of Goodbody Stockbrokers by AIB END Goodbody Stockbrokers fined over €1.2m by Central Bank over rules breaches
Nottingham City Centre Stock Irish staff at the Body Shop wait for wages as retailer shuts stores in the Republic
Ryanair comments on Norwegian Ryanair boss O'Leary's spat with Transport Minister over Dublin Airport escalates
IE logo
Devices


UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE IRISH EXAMINER FOR TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS
FIND OUT MORE

The Business Hub
Newsletter

News and analysis on business, money and jobs from Munster and beyond by our expert team of business writers.

Sign up
ie logo
Puzzles Logo

Play digital puzzles like crosswords, sudoku and a variety of word games including the popular Word Wheel

Lunchtime News
Newsletter

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited