February Dining & Restaurant card spend down 47%

Social spend via credit cards in February increased by 7% compared to the previous month, January, with spend on both restaurants/dining and entertainment, at €152.0 million and at €156.6 million respectively, increasing by 10% and 7% respectively from a nine-month low in January.

 

The daily credit and debit card data from the Central Bank indicates, however, that February’s restaurants/dining card spend was 47% down on February 2020’s €289.1 million figure.

In overall annual terms, spending in the transport, accommodation and restaurants/dining sectors continued to be the most heavily-impacted.

Detailed monthly data for February 2021 show that total card spend, including ATM withdrawals, equated to €5.3 billion, which was marginally higher on the previous month, up 3% (or €177 million).

In annual terms, a decrease of 9% (or €498 million) was recorded.

Spending on services was largely unchanged over February, as Level 5 restrictions remained in force.