Cross-border shoppers spent €418m in Northern Ireland over the last year
That’s the figure given in the Irish Central Statistics Office (CSO) quarterly national household survey on cross-border shopping [pdf file]. According to the iol report
The figures showed a 2% drop in cross border shoppers in the 12 months compared to the previous year, when an estimated €435m was spent.
The CSO said: “While there was a decline in the proportions of households making shopping trips to Northern Ireland, this was offset by the fact that households who were making trips were doing so more than previously.”
Some €311m of the total was forked out by those travelling north specifically to shop, with €107m spent during trips where shopping was not the main purpose but occurred.
More than a third of shoppers were from the border regions, who made 8.6 trips in the year and spent €240m, up from €181m.
While Dubliners still represented 29% of cross border shoppers, they spent just €57m – half of what the tills took in a year earlier. The average last shop spend fell to €284.
But figures revealed the biggest spenders travelled the furthest.
The survey showed while the lowest proportion of shoppers were from the south-east, mid-west and south-west of Ireland – making up just 8% of consumers – they splashed out an average €523 on their last trip. Overall their annual spend was €30m.
Topic: Economy, Society and Culture
Region: Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK
And you want to know why more people don’t vote Sinn Fein. It will be fascinating to see what happens to Gerry were he to stand in Louth.
And the link between cross border shiopping and voting pattterns is……?
well, 2 things, we popped across the border on the last bank holiday in Ireland and I was struck by the number of Galway, and Cavan reg cars.
Secondly, to burst your bubble Another, most people were in Tesco and Asda, these are the shops that have profited not local business people, these supermarkets offer poor wages and working conditions, the money actually left in the local community is the minimum wage for a few hundred retail workers and local cafes.
So, why wouldn’t nationalists still vote for a UI, if there pension fund is invested in Tesco or Asda a drop of a few hundred million won’t affect them OR are you saying a Taig should be grateful to be working at a Tesco checkout? guess its just the kids collecting for the GAA at the tills that aren’t welcome
Buying “Undefeated Army” T-shirts no doubt…;-)
A friend of mine who works in The Quays told me today that their takings are down 30% on last year as Southern shoppers have dried up. They are coming but primarily for convenience goods, there’s little money to spend on more expensive items.
They are extremely nervous that their shop could be closed in the New Year.
“So, why wouldn’t nationalists still vote for a UI”
At the minute why would they?
Yes that’s right. July (or thereabouts) marked the easing off in cross border grocery shopping, due to shift in exchange rates primarly but also the rise of food prices in the north.
Not being able to abide crowds I was never a one for the cross border spree, but I have it from reliable sources that Strabane Asda has drasticaly cut back it’s staff, and there are very few items on the shopping list that are cheaper now, as compared to saving hundreds per week 6 months ago.
whatabout how many Derry people shopped in Belfast and how much did they spend? or how much west Belfast people spend in East Belfast, economics like statistics is a spin doctor con
It certainly feels like something that is here to stay, I’d add that it goes beyond the cost savings as there also appears to be a desire by southern shoppers to be appreciated by the retailer. Something that appears to have been largely lost in the south.
Cross border trade in Newry has declined further than other areas due to what has been called ‘Newry Inflation’ This includes localised price increases, parking charges at the Quays and the new by-pass which has benefited adjacent towns like Banbridge.
Dalzell’s of Markethill | http://www.armaghelectrical.com