Almost three-quarters of Irish shoppers intend to spend either the same amount or less during the upcoming Black Friday weekend compared with last year, a new survey shows.
The research, carried out by PwC, found that 73% of participants plan to maintain or reduce their spending, up from 64% in 2024, reports RTE.
The survey also indicates that Irish consumers expect to spend an average of at least €283 over the sales period, a decrease from the €329 average reported last year.
The European average spend comes in at €268, reports RTE.
A survey of 10,000 European consumers — including 2,000 in Ireland — further revealed that Irish shoppers are among the highest spenders in Europe during the sales period.
62% of people surveyed said they are likely or extremely likely to buy at least one item across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, down slightly from 64% last year, reports RTE.
14% of respondents said they anticipate spending at least €500.
John O’Loughlin, Partner, Retail & Consumer Practice at PwC Ireland, said ongoing cost-of-living pressures “mean many Irish shoppers plan to spend the same or less during the Black Friday sales period”, reports RTE.
“Nonetheless, the sales weekend remains a critically important sales period with strong consumer interest apparent,” he said, reports RTE.
Mr O’Loughlin added that shoppers are “increasingly seeking value, focusing on specific items and the best deals to maximise value for money in the run up to Christmas”, reports RTE.
The PwC survey shows that 83% of Irish consumers intend to use the Black Friday weekend to buy Christmas gifts, compared with the European figure of 78%.
It also found that 64% of Irish shoppers prefer to buy online, while over a third (36%) favour in-store shopping — a higher rate than their European peers at 33% — suggesting that “a keen interest in in-store shopping continues”, reports RTE.
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