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

Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023

The Consumer Council has published its latest EU Exit research report: Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023

This research was commissioned to gauge Northern Ireland consumers’ views and experiences of EU Exit in 2023. It explores general consumer concerns and issues in relation to consumer rights, price increases, food shopping, travel, mobile roaming, online shopping and retailers no longer delivering to Northern Ireland.

This report is the third consecutive yearly publication exploring EU Exit issues and compares the 2023 results against the previous two surveys (2022 and 2021), showing how consumer perceptions and experiences of EU Exit have changed over time.

The previous publications are available for download here: 2022 and 2021 

Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023 NI Consumers and EU Exit An overview of EU Exit in 2023.PDF

Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment

We have published our latest research report: Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment.

 

Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment Final Version - NI Consumers and Online Detriment.pdf

Buy Now Pay Later Summary Report

The primary objective for this report looks at how consumers use short-term BNPL products.

Read our article about the research findings.

Buy Now Pay Later Summary Report Buy_Now_Pay_Later_summary_report.pdf
Topic
116 research reports available

Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023

The Consumer Council has published its latest EU Exit research report: Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023

This research was commissioned to gauge Northern Ireland consumers’ views and experiences of EU Exit in 2023. It explores general consumer concerns and issues in relation to consumer rights, price increases, food shopping, travel, mobile roaming, online shopping and retailers no longer delivering to Northern Ireland.

This report is the third consecutive yearly publication exploring EU Exit issues and compares the 2023 results against the previous two surveys (2022 and 2021), showing how consumer perceptions and experiences of EU Exit have changed over time.

The previous publications are available for download here: 2022 and 2021 

Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2023 NI Consumers and EU Exit An overview of EU Exit in 2023.PDF

Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment

We have published our latest research report: Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment.

 

Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment Final Version - NI Consumers and Online Detriment.pdf

Buy Now Pay Later Summary Report

The primary objective for this report looks at how consumers use short-term BNPL products.

Read our article about the research findings.

Buy Now Pay Later Summary Report Buy_Now_Pay_Later_summary_report.pdf

Buy Now Pay Later

The Consumer Council commissioned You Gov to conduct research on consumer experiences of using Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) credit in Northern Ireland.

Read our article about the research findings.

Q2 2023 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from April to June 2023.

Q2 2023 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker Northern_Ireland_Household_Expenditure_Tracker_Q2_2023.pdf

Focus on Food: How cost of living pressures are affecting consumers’ food shopping and eating habits

In response to rising living costs experienced by consumers in Northern Ireland, the Consumer Council commissioned Perceptive Insight Market Research Limited to undertake a series of 12 focus group discussions, from August 2022 to January 2023.

Focus on Food: How cost of living pressures are affecting consumers’ food shopping and eating habits Focus_on_Food_November_2023.pdf

The Consumer Experience: Online shopping and delivery related problems

We commissioned YouGov to a carry out an online consumer survey to find out consumers experiences regarding online shopping and delivery.

The research took place in January/February 2023 with over 1,000 consumers across Northern Ireland taking part in the survey.

The Consumer Experience: Online shopping and delivery related problems Online shopping and the consumer delivery experience - 2023

Northern Ireland Consumers & the Cost of Living - Pulse Survey September 2023

Findings from our July 2023 Pulse Survey.

Northern Ireland Consumers & the Cost of Living - Pulse Survey September 2023 Northern Ireland Consumers & the Cost of Living - Pulse Survey September 2023

The impact of the energy crisis on affordability and the impact of energy transition on consumers

Research that explores the impact of the current energy crisis on affordability and consumer awareness and understanding of energy transition.

The impact of the energy crisis on affordability and the impact of energy transition on consumers Research on the impact of the energy crisis on affordability and the impact of energy transition on consumers.pdf

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to NI - October 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, updated in October 2023.

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to NI - October 2023 Overview_note_October_2023_GB_retailers_not_delivering_to_Nothern_Ireland (1).pdf

Research notice

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