Lifting of restrictions boosts card spending
Total spending with credit and debit cards rose by 11% in the first two weeks after the lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions, compared with the previous two-week period, according to the Central Bank.
As a result, card spending in the two weeks to 6 February was €344 million higher compared with the previous two weeks.
The increase was led by spending in the restaurant, accommodation and transport sectors, which recorded rises of 25%, 22% and 12%, respectively.
January jump
Total card spending in the week to 6 February was €1.75 billion, unchanged compared with the previous week.
In January, card spending jumped by 29%, or €1.5 billion, compared with January 2021, when there were much stricter COVID-19 restrictions in place.