Retail Ireland Monitor July 2024

The mood of Irish consumers improved last month as inflation across the economy eased further. While cost increases of recent years still weight heavily, the outlook for the future is positive. Energy prices are falling, as are interest rates, and the public finances are strong. The tone of the latest sentiment survey hints that even modestly supportive developments in coming months could have a meaningful impact on spending. Budget 2025, due at the very start of October, is likely to be a significant factor in setting the tone for the last quarter of the year and the mood music for a possible General Election.