Consumer spending in April climbed 11 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest AIB Spend Trend survey, with online purchases up 16 per cent and in-store spending rising by 6 per cent.
Cinema spending soared by 47 per cent compared to April 2024, driven largely by the Easter release of A Minecraft Movie and boosted by wet weather over the school holidays.
April 5th — the film’s opening weekend — marked the highest cinema spend of the month in Ireland, according to the survey.
Tourism and hospitality sectors also saw positive growth, with hotel spending up 11 per cent and restaurant spending up 10 per cent year-on-year.
Car rental spend rose 10 per cent, and transactions increased by 19 per cent, though the average transaction value dropped from €115 to €106.
In contrast, airline spending dipped 8 per cent compared to last year, with the average online ticket cost at €247 in April.