Consumer Pulse

At 52.9 in August 2020, the Consumer Pulse was down 2.6 on last month and 23.1 lower than a year ago. Households were more subdued about their current financial situation this month, and with the incidence of virus cases increasing and the move to phase 4 of the re-opening roadmap deferred, they were gloomier about the economy too (especially in the Rest of Leinster where restrictions have been re-imposed on counties Kildare, Laois and Offaly). Buying sentiment also softened in August, with 21% considering it a good time to purchase big ticket items like furniture and electrical goods compared with 26% in July.