Post by AIB

The summer sun is having a palpable impact on people’s spending patterns, with sporting goods stores, event ticket sales, theme park and hairdresser spend all seeing surges throughout June. That’s according to the AIB Spend Trend for the month, which shows spend for the month was up 4% compared to the same period last year. Met Eireann’s provisional figures rank June 2026 the fourth warmest June in 127 years and sporting goods store sales were up 7% as AIB customers took advantage of the warm weather. Barbers, hair stylists and beauty shop spend was up 5% on June 2025 as people invest in looking their best. 80% of that spend was female, with women spending almost twice as much per transaction as men on their locks and looks. Theme park spend was up 14% year on year as children and the young at heart took to rollercoasters, waltzers and bumper cars. AIB’s Head of Consumer, Adrian Moynihan said “The AIB Spend Trend data for June shows just as the sun came out, so did consumers’ wallets for sporting goods, theme parks, summer gigs and hairdressers. We also saw increases in consumer spending outside of Ireland, particularly in Europe with Spain topping the charts as a a perennial favourite for Irish holidaymakers. AIB’s Spend Trend data means we can better support our customers, enabling them to make informed choices that suit their needs, whilst ensuring businesses are equipped to respond to changes in how consumers spend. As a trusted partner, AIB is committed to meaningful, lasting relationships in the communities we are embedded in across Ireland, supporting our customers and their long-term financial wellbeing.”