Spending on debit and credit cards tumbled by 33% month on month in January when the economy returned to a strict lockdown following a brief reopening of most sectors in December, new Central Bank figures show today.
Spending was down 10% from last January, before Ireland's first case of Covid-19, although spending online was up 10%.
December had seen a 21% year-on-year spending jump when shops, restaurants and some pubs reopened after Covid-19 imposed restrictions.
The Central Bank said the largest monthly falls in January were a 71% collapse in accommodation, 68% drop in clothing and a 57% fall in restaurant sales.
The lockdown was extended into April this week, with only a minor easing in prospect until at least May.
