Spending using credit and debit cards fell back marginally last month but remains up strongly compared to last year, according to the latest Credit and Debit Card Statistics from the Central Bank.
Total card spending, including ATM withdrawals fell back 1% or €61 million to €6.9 billion in February compared to January.
However, compared to February 2021 when some public health restrictions were still in place, card spending was up 30% or €1.6 billion.
Daily card statistics compiled by the Central Bank show that up to 20th March, spending has been largely unchanged compared to February.
In-store spending rose 2% in February compared to January to €3.1 billion.
It was up 51% compared to February last year.
Online spending fell by 5% compared to January to €2.8 billion.
It's up 16% compared to February last year.
Some of the extra spending on categories which thrived during public health restrictions like groceries were down 3% on an annual basis while spending on electrical goods was down 17%.
However, spending on clothing was up 54%.
Spending on services emerging from restrictions like transport was up 408% while spending on accommodation was up 408%.
Spending on restaurants and dining was up 169%.
Cash made a partial recovery but its use remains down compared to pre-pandemic.
ATM withdrawals were up 20% to €972million compared to last year but remained 28% lower than February 2020.
