Consumers are starting to splash out again in response to the first few rays of hope that the recession is over. That’s according to a national telephone directory service which reports that recent trends in enquiries for the second quarter of this year reveal that fun is back in fashion with personal spending and outdoor adventure high on the agenda.
“Enquiry calls for this period provides an interesting snapshot of the way Irish people are living their lives,” said Susan Branchflower, chief executive. “It’s good to see the Irish sense of humour is still going strong with requests for joke shop details increasing by 36 per cent, hiring of bouncing castles (+28 per cent ), playing paintball (+92 per cent ) and going to costume parties, with requests for costume hire shops increasing by an amazing 289 per cent.
“So it appears the nation has had enough of being frugal and coming into the summer season has decided to loosen the purse strings, let the hair down, and have some fun instead of lurking in dark pubs and nightclubs, queries about which have decreased -20 per cent and -12 per cent respectively since last year, Irish people are now getting their kicks elsewhere, namely out in the fresh air. Irish adrenaline junkies are spending their summer chasing their next rush at parachuting clubs (+329 per cent ), adventure sports centres (+339 per cent ) and on activity holidays (+550 per cent ), with requests for contact numbers in these markets increasing dramatically.
“Throwing caution to the wind, it appears the nation has also decided to loosen the restraints on discretionary spending, as requests for shopping centres increased by 15 per cent. And it’s not just for their own personal shopping spree, loved ones are receiving gifts too, as requests for jewellers (+20 per cent ), jewellery designers (+1,263 per cent ), florists (+66 per cent ) and gift delivery services (+886 per cent ) also increased.
“It seems the nation has also decided to spend less time in the kitchen and more time having fun and indulging in naughty treats, with calls increasing for takeaways (+14 per cent ), fish and chip shops (+14 per cent ), bakers and confectioners (+127 per cent ), and chocolatiers (+10 per cent ). However, it appears we understand that staying healthy is all about give and take, as requests for fruit and vegetable shops (+24 per cent ) and health food shops (+79 per cent ) have also increased. Other trends noted include increased requests for soccer clubs +83 per cent and betting shops (+53 per cent ) during the World Cup.”
The call statistics also suggest positive signs for business with increases in requests for enterprise centres (+149 per cent ) and stockbrokers (+3 per cent ), as well as an increase in requests for discretionary corporate spending such as corporate gifts (+102 per cent ), corporate leisure activities (+521 per cent ), limousine hire (+15 per cent ), and helicopter hire (+20 per cent ).
Weddings in demand
Particularly heartwarming have been the findings that couples are no longer putting their lives on hold as call stats show couples are planning for summer weddings as well as starting families, with increases in number requests for bridal shops (+21 per cent ), wedding stationery (+95 per cent ), bridal gown hire (+783 per cent ), churches (+89 per cent ), family planning (+51 per cent ) and maternity wear (+174 per cent ).
Luxury spending increases
The survey also indicated that luxury spending has increased with increases in requests for Land Rover car dealers (+50 per cent ); BMW car dealers (+68 per cent ); Audi car dealers (+130 per cent ); Jaguar car dealers (+675 per cent ) and boat sales (+91 per cent ).
