Featured research

View our featured research on important topics impacting Northern Ireland consumers at the moment.

  • Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

    A quarterly publication that shows what households in Northern Ireland are experiencing financially, including changes to their income, expenditure and in which areas they are spending most of their money. 

  • Cost of living pulse surveys

    Quarterly pulse surveys which gathers consumer perceptions and experiences of the cost of living crisis in Northern Ireland. 

  • Consumer attitudes to energy transition

    As Northern Ireland works towards achieving net zero targets by 2050, we are carrying out ongoing research into what consumers think about this and how they are impacted.

  • Financial Services in Northern Ireland

    We carry out research to quantify the lived experience in Northern Ireland relating to financial services, focusing on financial exclusion, access to cash and borrowing, and levels of lending, savings and debt.

Consultation responses

In our consultation responses, we use evidence-based insights to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers in Northern Ireland, advocating on their behalf.

View our consultation responses below.

Our recent insights

Consumers’ views and behaviours in response to the rising cost of basics

The Consumer Council commissioned Social Market Research (SMR) to survey a representative sample of 1033 adult consumers living in Northern Ireland on issues relating to the cost of basics. 

Consumers’ views and behaviours in response to the rising cost of basics Consumer_Council _Cost _of_basics report_ACCESSIBLE VERSION.pdf

Q3 2023 - Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from July to September 2023.

Q3 2023 - Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker Household_expenditure_tracker_Q3_2023 AV.pdf

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland -January 2024

This is an overview note on the number of GB retailers who have ceased to deliver to Northern Ireland citing EU Exit as the reason, updated in January 2024.

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland -January 2024 Overview_note_GB_retailers_not_delivering_to_Northern_Ireland_January_2024.pdf
Topic
103 research reports available

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty

The Impact of COVID-19 - Christians Against Poverty Impact _of_COVID_Christians_Against_Poverty.pdf

Illegal Lending - The Story Continues (Overview)

Advice NI - Illegal Lending - The Story Continues (Overview)

Illegal Lending - The Story Continues (Overview) Illegal_Lending_Story_Continues_Overview.pdf

Illegal Lending - The Story Continues

Advice NI - Illegal Lending - The Story Continues 

Illegal Lending - The Story Continues Illegal_Lending _Story_Continues.pdf

Pulse survey: Northern Ireland consumers and the cost of living - July 2022

Findings from our July 2022 pulse survey.

Pulse survey: Northern Ireland consumers and the cost of living - July 2022 Cost_of_Living_Pulse_Survey_1.pdf

Q1 2022 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from January to March 2022.

Q1 2022 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker Q1_2022_NI_Household_Expenditure_Tracker.pdf

Consumer Priorities for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Northern Ireland

Consumer Priorities for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Northern Ireland - July 2022

Consumer Priorities for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Northern Ireland Consumer_Priorities_for_NI.pdf

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers

Lending, Savings and Debt Research:
Northern Ireland Consumers
March 2021

Lending, Savings and Debt Research: Northern Ireland Consumers Lending_Savings_Debt_Research_NI_Consumers.pdf

Special Assistance at Belfast International Airport

Special Assistance at Belfast International Airport

Summary report following a site visit in March. The intended outcome of this visit is for the Forum to continue to work with the airport in looking specifically at the special assistance to help gain a better understanding of the issues faced by passengers using this service.

May 2022

Special Assistance at Belfast International Airport Special Assistance at Belfast International Airport - Summary Report.pdf

Special Assistance at George Best Belfast City Airport - Summary Report

Special Assistance at George Best Belfast City Airport 

Summary report following a site visit in April. The intended outcome of this visit is for the Forum to continue to work with the airport in looking specifically at the special assistance to help gain a better understanding of the issues faced by passengers using this service

May 2022

Special Assistance at George Best Belfast City Airport - Summary Report Special Assistance at George Best Belfast City Airport - Summary Report.pdf

Research report: Consumer Vulnerability - low income households

   

Research report: Consumer Vulnerability - low income households Consumer_Vulnerability_Research_Low_Income_Households.pdf

Research notice

Sometimes research companies conduct research on our behalf. Read our Research notice here.