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 gather 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 2024

This research was commissioned to gauge Northern Ireland consumers’ views and experiences of EU Exit in 2024. It explores general consumer concerns and issues in relation to consumer rights, price increases, food shopping, travel and cross border shopping. 

Northern Ireland consumers and EU Exit: an overview of EU Exit experiences in 2024

Protecting consumers during the energy transition to net zero: Installer and stakeholder feedback 2024

This report has been conducted as part of the Northern Ireland Energy Strategy Action Plan. It is supplementary to The Utility Regulator and Consumer Council Call for Evidence on Protecting Consumers during the Energy Transition to Net Zero undertaken in 2022.

Protecting consumers during the energy transition to net zero

Attitudes to the Energy Transition Summary Report

The energy transition will mean significant changes to how people live, eat, travel, and heat their homes. We need to achieve a just and fair transition by ensuring affordability, security of energy supply and protection for all consumers, particularly for vulnerable citizens. 

Attitudes to the Energy Transition Summary Report Oct 24
Topic
113 research reports available

Electric Vehicles Consumer Research - Summary Report

Research using surveys and interviews to consider the public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Northern Ireland and of those thinking of switching from a petrol or diesel vehicle to electric.

Electric vehicles consumer research - summary report

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 1,033 adult consumers living in Northern Ireland on issues relating to the cost of basics. 

Cost of basics report 2024

Q3 2023 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

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

Household Expenditure Tracker Q3 2023

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

Northern Ireland consumers & cost of living - Pulse Survey December 2023

Findings from our Pulse Survey December 2023.

Pulse Survey December 2023

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

Our latest EU Exit research report - 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

Northern Ireland Consumers and Online Detriment

Research into digital literacy in Northern Ireland and issues around digital accessibility and exclusion.

Final Version - NI Consumers and Online Detriment

Buy Now Pay Later Summary Report

Research into how consumers in Northern Ireland use short-term Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products.

Buy Now Pay Later summary report

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.

Buy Now Pay Later Nov 2023 FINAL

Q2 2023 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

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

Household Expenditure Tracker Q2 2023

Research notice

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