Consumer confidence in Northern Ireland falls again
Consumer confidence in Northern Ireland fell again in the third quarter of 2018, weighed down by concerns over the absence of a functioning Executive, Brexit and high inflation.
The Danske Bank Northern Ireland Consumer Confidence Index fell to a reading of 123, down from 131 in the last quarter and 135 a year ago.
This fall in consumer confidence marked the second consecutive quarterly decline in the index and resulted in confidence levels hitting their lowest point in 2018 so far. Falls were observed both over the quarter and over the year in the parts of the index that examine how people feel about their current finances, future finances, job security and future spending.
Just under a third of people highlighted the local political impasse and the lack of a functioning Executive as the factor that had the largest negative impact on their confidence levels. Those surveyed also pointed to high inflation as something which put a dent in confidence.
