Research and insights

We conduct research to understand the lived experience of consumers in Northern Ireland and use this to represent you and advocate on your behalf.

Topic
102 research reports available

Impact of cost and availability of free-from products on consumers

Our research has revealed that people in Northern Ireland with food allergies and intolerances (food hypersensitivities) are impacted by high costs and lack of availability when buying free-from food and drinks.

Mobile Roaming Experiences of Northern Ireland Consumers

Consumer experiences of changes to mobile roaming charges.

Consumer Insights Survey 2023

Our Consumer Insights Report shows what consumers in Northern Ireland have been experiencing in the last year regarding their household finances, consumer issues, scams, and shopping around for essential goods and services.

Key Findings:

  • Nearly two in five (38%) respondents had been targeted by a scam in the three years prior to the research, with close to a fifth (18%) of these individuals having fallen for the scam.
     
  • More than half (52%) of respondents disagreed that their household is better off financially than it was 12 months earlier, whilst around a third (34%) disagreed that the financial position of their household would be better in 12 months’ time.
     
  • Around half (47%) of respondents had experienced a consumer issue in the 12 months prior to the research. However, if a consumer issue was experienced, about half (48%) of respondents suggested that they would not complain or that they were not sure if they would do so.
     
  • Home energy prices (85%), food prices (80%), and petrol and diesel prices (67%) were the issues about which respondents were most likely to be concerned.

Consumer Access to Postal Services at the Post Office Network in Northern Ireland

This report focusses on consumer access to postal services at post offices.

Q4 2022 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from October to December 2022. 

Concessionary Fares: Policy Paper - January 2023

In this Concessionary Fares Policy Paper we make a number of recommendations on the Concessionary Fare Scheme. 

Q3 2022 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from July to September 2022. 

Pulse survey: Northern Ireland consumers and the cost of living - January 2023

Findings from our January 2023 pulse survey.

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to NI - January 2023

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.

The Importance of the Consumer to the Northern Ireland Economy

This report, provided by Grant Thornton, details the importance of the consumer to the Northern Ireland economy.