D. Tighe
Research expert covering consumer behavior, sporting goods retail, and the global toy industry.
Consumer behavior in Ireland - statistics & facts
The Republic of Ireland, which has been a member state of the European Union since 1973, is a continuously advancing country that has seen its gross domestic product triple at current prices since the early 2000s. Coupled with the declining unemployment rate, Ireland and its consumers are, overall, in a stronger financial position compared to decades past.
An important change in values seen in many countries such as Ireland is the shift towards sustainable consumption. Irish shoppers increasingly want to reduce their environmental impact, and according to a 2024 survey, they have been doing so by buying more sustainable products, eating different foods, and even supporting green political candidates and policies.
Apparel is popular among Irish shoppers
When asked what products and services they were interested in, in early 2024, about 70 percent of consumers in Ireland said they were interested in clothing. Between 60 and 70 percent of surveyed Irish shoppers expressed an interest in food and drink products, as well as footwear. Interest in clothing and shoes is reinforced by the fact that about the same share of Irish shoppers had bought something in an apparel and/or shoe store in the past 12 months. Generally, the country’s shoppers looked for quality and comfort when shopping for apparel, above all other criteria.Wants and needs among shoppers in Ireland
Just like many other countries, Ireland and its population has certain important values, and not respecting these wants and needs can lead consumers not to want to buy from certain retail enterprises. In early 2024, nearly 85 percent of consumers surveyed in Ireland found protecting customer data important when it comes to building trust in a company. This made it the leading factor that could influence customer trust in Ireland. Other important factors included a consistent and high-quality customer experience, high-quality products, as well as the fair and ethical treatment of employees.An important change in values seen in many countries such as Ireland is the shift towards sustainable consumption. Irish shoppers increasingly want to reduce their environmental impact, and according to a 2024 survey, they have been doing so by buying more sustainable products, eating different foods, and even supporting green political candidates and policies.
