Sporting celebrations and value-driven spending shape July consumer trends

7 August 2026 – Bank of Ireland online spending data for July showed consumer expenditure declined by 5% compared to July 2025, while in-person card spending remained relatively unchanged.

A key trend in July spending was consumers seeking better value, with spending in charity and vintage stores increasing by nearly two and a half times (146%) compared to the same period last year. In addition, there was a spending increase of 43% in discount stores; and 80% in online marketplaces such as Amazon compared to July 2025.

Sporting occasions led to localised increases in spending in Mayo and Limerick. All Ireland Football winners and supporters in Mayo celebrated on 26 July (match day) and 27 July (homecoming celebrations) where pubs across Castlebar (+1,042%), Westport (+350%) and the rest of Mayo (+118%) posted a significant spending hike compared to All Ireland Football Final weekend last year. Similarly, in Limerick, All-Ireland Hurling champions and their supporters celebrated on 19 July (match day) and 20 July (homecoming celebrations), with pubs across the county recording spending increases of 200% compared with the All-Ireland Hurling Final weekend in 2025.

The Bank’s ‘Spending Pulse’ analysis for July showed that despite flat debit and credit card spending, several sectors still saw strong growth. As the hot spell of weather continued throughout July, there was a significant increase in spending in camping/tenting equipment (55%), confectionery shops (53%), car washes (44%), boat leases (21%), and catering services (18%), in comparison to the same period last year.

The transition towards electric vehicles continues to accelerate. In July spending on public EV chargers nearly doubled (49%) in comparison to last year.

Spending in pubs and off licenses during July was relatively flat.

Gerardo Larios Rizo, Head of Hospitality, Bank of Ireland said: “Overall card and online spending were flat in July. The data shows consumers are more conscious of their budgets, with significant spending increases across charity, vintage and second-hand shops.

Success for Mayo GAA and Limerick GAA highlights the positive impact major sporting moments can have on communities and local businesses.

In line with previous months, higher costs of long-haul travel and geopolitical volatility continue to contribute to reduced long-haul travel spending.

The Bank’s ‘Spending Pulse’ analysis for July highlights a change in seasonal travel behaviour. In comparison to July last year, traditional destinations for Irish tourists dropped or were relatively flat for spending – Turkey (0.6%); Spain (-3.69%); France (-3.69%); Portugal (-3.37%). Spending also rose in several other destinations including Lithuania (69.48%), Romania (13.3%) and Estonia (4.23%).

Spend in some long-haul destinations also dropped when compared with this period last year – United Arab Emirates (-21.31%), Japan (-16.09%), New Zealand (-14%), Australia (-31.43%) and USA (-1.96%).

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Bank of Ireland is a diversified financial services group serving more than four million customers across Ireland, the UK, and the EU. Its services span consumer, business and corporate banking, wealth management, life and pensions, specialist finance, and asset finance and contract hire. The Group includes Davy, New Ireland Assurance, Northridge Finance and Marshall Leasing. Bank of Ireland operates a full‑service retail bank in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In the UK, it provides mortgages through the intermediary market and is the largest provider of consumer foreign exchange through its partnership with the UK Post Office.