Insights Weekly Roundup

The Insights Weekly Roundup summarises key reports and news articles found through horizon scanning. This process collates recently published external publications on relevant topics including the economy, consumer and industry sentiment, air/sea access and regeneration.

Insight Weekly Roundup 29/09/2025

Consumer: 

  • Findings from the latest quarterly Credit Union Northern Ireland Consumer Sentiment Survey show that Northern Ireland consumer confidence improved significantly between May and August 2025. The upswing in sentiment largely reflects easing concerns around household finances, while Northern Ireland consumers also became a little less negative about the general economic outlook over the three-month period. However, nervousness around job prospects has increased somewhat. Credit Union Ireland – NI Consumer Confidence Index (16 September 2025) 
  • GfK’s long-running UK Consumer Confidence Index decreased by two points to -19 in September. All measures were down in comparison to last month’s announcement. The August 7th decrease in interest rates does not appear to have provided any obvious boost to the financial mood of consumers or drawn attention away from day-to-day cost issues. Looking ahead, with tax rises expected in the autumn budget in November, there is the potential for confidence to fall further in the coming months. GfK – UK Consumer Confidence Index (19 September 2025) 

Economy: 

  • Over the second quarter of 2025, economic activity in Northern Ireland increased by 2.0%. The largest contribution to change this quarter came from increased activity in the Services sector (1.3 pps), followed by the Construction sector (0.4 pps). Over the year economic activity increased by 3.5%, with positive contributions from all sectors. NISRA – Northern Ireland Composite Economic Index (25 September 2025) 

Closer to Home: 

  • Irish consumer sentiment edged fractionally higher in September, effectively signalling no change in consumer thinking of late. Worries about the outlook for the economy, warnings about the looming Budget ’26, and weakness in spending power are all weighing on the mood of Irish consumers at present. That said, the September survey suggests that the current mood of Irish consumers is one of concern rather than collapse. Credit Union Ireland – ROI Consumer Confidence Index (26 September 2025) 

Previous Weekly Roundups