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

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.

Overview note 11 January 2023 GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland 0

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.

Importance of Consumer to the NI Economy

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

Findings from our November 2022 pulse survey.

NI Consumer Cost of Living Pulse Survey 2

Q2 2022 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from April to June 2022.

Household Expenditure Tracker Q2 2022

Consumer Food Shopping Experiences

Consumer Food Shopping Experience research. June 2022. 

Consumer Food Shopping Experiences

The cost and availability of a Minimum Essential Food Basket

Report on the cost and availability of a Minimum Essential Food Basket. August 2022.

Cost Affordability Minimum Food Basket 2022

Overview note: GB retailers not delivering to NI - September 2022

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. This data was collected in September 2022.

Overview note - GB retailers not delivering to Northern Ireland (September 2022)

Northern Ireland Consumer Experience: An overview of EU Exit experiences in 2022

This report identifies consumer feedback across a number of areas such as food, energy, travel, digital services and online shopping. By comparing the results to the survey we conducted in 2021, we can also observe how consumer perceptions and experiences have changed over time.

An Overview of EU Exit Experiences in 2022

Impact of scams on Northern Ireland consumers

This research paper highlights the impact of scams on Northern Ireland consumers. It was carried out in 2022 by YouGov.

Consumer-Council-Impact-of-Scams-in-Northern-Ireland-2022

Q4 2021 Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker

The Northern Ireland Household Expenditure Tracker showing data from October to December 2021.

Household Expenditure Tracker Q4 2021

Research notice

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