April’s pub/off-licence spend up 35%

Consumer spend in pubs and off-licences was up 35% last month compared to the previous month, March, as people took advantage of the good weather.

 

The biggest increase in spend in this sector was from those in Kilkenny where spending was up 53%, followed by those in Laois, up 47%, according to data compiled from AIB Debit and Credit card spend from over one million transactions between the 1^st and the 30^th of April. The smallest increase in spend in this sector was in Cavan (up just 7%) and Monaghan (up 8%).

“Following what has been an extensive lockdown for many businesses, in particular those in the hospitality industry, it’s great to see consumers spending in these sectors again now they’ve more clarity on when they will reopen,” said AIB’s Head of SME Banking Rachel Naughton

During April consumer spend in restaurants was up 9%.

“We hope to see this positive trajectory continue over the coming months,” she added.

Confirmation that hotels and inter-county travel would resume saw spending on hotels surge 30% in April compared to March according to the AIB Spend Trend report.

The highest increase in hotel spending came from those under the age of 25, where spend was up 38% while the lowest increase was among those between the ages of 45-54.

 

April Spend

But spend in the majority of sectors was substantially down compared to pre-pandemic levels and overall spend among consumers in April was up only 3% on March.

The day after the roadmap out of Lockdown was announced, April 30^th, recorded the highest level of spending for the month.