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

Enough on their plates? The food concerns and lived experiences of young adults in Northern Ireland.

In September 2024, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland commissioned Cognisense to conduct a survey to examine food insecurity in young adults aged 18-30. 

Enough on their plates?

Overview note: Great Britain retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland – February 2025

This is an overview note on the number of Great Britain retailers who have ceased to deliver to Northern Ireland citing EU Exit as the reason, updated in February 2025.

Great Britain retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland - February 2025

Northern Ireland Consumers & the cost of living - Pulse Survey December 2024

Findings from our Pulse Survey December 2024.

Pulse Survey December 2024
Topic
116 research reports available

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

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 a series of 12 focus group discussions.

Focus on Food November 2023

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.

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

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.

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

Research notice

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