Latest news with #VHIWomen'sMini-Marathon
The Journal
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Metallica ticket sales and pints: Record number of 80m card transactions last month
LAST MONTH BROKE records for the most card transactions in a month, with just over 80m in May, AIB has said. Overall spending for May increased 9% year on year and 2% month on month, according to AIB data. The cumulative spend from January to May 2025 is also up 9% when compared with the same period in 2024. AIB said that this indicates that consumer confidence remains strong. The bank said that Metallica fans sparked a surge in ticket transactions at the end of the month. Tickets went on sale for the band's two day stint in the Aviva Stadium in June of next year on 30 May; ticket transactions were up 76% on the average that day, the bank said. Cinema spend increased 17% year on year, while spend in hotels increased 8% in the same time period. AIB said that Saturday 31 May was the 'best day of the year' for hotel spend, particularly in Dublin, and said it was likely due to Bloom and the VHI Women's Mini-Marathon. Advertisement Consumers' spend in pubs across Ireland increased 10% month on month. The largest increase in spend is attributed to Limerick (16%), followed by Louth and Longford (15%). The smallest increase was in Wicklow, Roscommon, and Carlow, whose spend increased by 7%. The 'beer garden weather' has been cited as a factor in the increase. Hardware spend increased 6% year on year and 3% month on month. Electric vehicle charging increased 83% year on year. People in Cavan spent the most on clothes per transaction last month – €72.59 – as clothing spend increased 8% month on month. Grocery spend increased 8% year on year and 4% month on month. The largest monthly increase was 6% in counties Longford, Monaghan, and Galway. The smaller increase, 3%, was in counties Carlow, Laois, and Wicklow. Head of Consumer at AIB, Adrian Moynihan, said, 'This information shows consumer confidence remains strong and is vital for businesses, enabling them to plan for both peak and off-peak periods throughout the year to effectively meet their customers' needs.' The data was compiled from 80m card transactions carried out by AIB customers in store and online during May 2025 and has been anonymised and aggregated. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
15-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Consumer spending up 9% in May
Consumer spending during May increased by 9%, compared to the same period last year, driven by additional spending on hotels, pubs, and concert tickets, data from AIB's Spend Trend shows. According to the data, spending in hotels increased 8% year-on-year with Saturday, May 31, being the best day of the year for the sector, particularly in Dublin, likely driven by events such as Bloom and the VHI Women's Mini-Marathon. Spending in pubs also increased 10% month-on-month, with the largest increase in spend in Limerick, up 16%, followed by Louth and Longford, up 15%. The smallest increases were recorded in Wicklow, Roscommon, and Carlow, all of which were up 7%. There was also a surge in ticket purchases on Friday, May 30, as Metallica tickets went on general sale for their two day Aviva Stadium concerts in June 2026. Ticket transactions were 76% above average on the day. In addition, spending in cinemas increased 17%, compared to last year, with the release of two summer blockbusters Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Lilo and Stitch. Other areas which saw an increase in spending during the month include groceries, which increased by 8% year on year; and hardware, up 6% year-on-year. Spending on electric car charging increased 83% year-on-year. During the first five months of the year, overall consumer spending is also up 9% compared to the same period in 2024. Adrian Moynihan, the head of consumer at AIB, said the increased spending by customers shows 'consumer confidence remains strong and is vital for businesses, enabling them to plan for both peak and off-peak periods throughout the year to effectively meet their customers' needs'. In comparison to April, spending on clothing increased by 8% during May — with 73% of all clothing spending by women and 58% of it was in shops. During the month, people in Cavan spent the most on clothes per transaction at €72.59, while people in Westmeath spent the least at €58.94. The month of May also broke records for most card transactions by AIB customers with just over 80m.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘We're a young, agile business'– Sculpted by Aimee's founder confident despite tariff threat
The Sculpted By Aimee brand, which is stocked in 700 outlets worldwide including in Europe, Australia and the Middle East, was launched by Ms Connolly in 2016 after she saved €10,000 by working as a freelance make-up artist. 'Things like the tariff conversation and in general, there's an uncertainty around the world, we're obviously paying attention to what's going on,' she said. 'We're not too concerned yet in terms of how it's going to impact us. We're a young, agile business so we'll plough ahead regardless of what sets forward. 'But I also think until it's fully confirmed, there's just no point in panicking about things when we don't know the impacts yet, so we're feeling OK about it.' While her work keeps her 'really busy', she said: 'I love it, so I don't sit back and think, 'Oh God, this is too much', or whatever. 'I just thrive off it, I love all of it and feel very lucky that I get to do it. When you're in it, because you're kind of on the hamster wheel, you don't really acknowledge it like an outsider might, so of course I'm so grateful for the growth and where we are, but I'm also like, we still need to do this, and this and this. 'So I'm kind of just focused on the next thing, rather than probably acknowledging all that is now.' Ms Connolly is often asked about whether she felt pressure being a woman in business. 'Without being vague, I don't give myself a chance to psych myself out of things,' she said. 'I don't think about it in too much detail where it becomes super scary. I think if I did, I would be like, 'Oh my God, the pressure', so I just do things that feel natural and authentic to me, that I want to be behind.' ADVERTISEMENT Her advice to her 23-year-old self, who launched the business almost 10 years ago, would be to 'back yourself and do it and go with your gut'. 'I also think, particularly as a younger person growing up through business myself, the notion of wanting to be liked by everyone. It is impossible to keep everyone happy,' she said. 'You just have to do right and treat people fairly, and after that, it's kind of out of your control so rather than trying to be a people pleaser or splitting yourself in a million [pieces] to focus on the fact that it's just not always possible and it will drain you. I think for the younger generation, that's something that we need to hear.' The entrepreneur, who is an ambassador for the VHI Women's Mini-Marathon for the fourth time, will be taking part in a special park run at St Anne's Park in Dublin this Saturday with broadcaster Katja Mia, health and fitness coach Nathalie Lennon and content creator Clóda Scanlon. She said running had become a key part of her routine, with the annual mini-marathon in June an important part of her year. 'I actually wouldn't, I think, be able to do the level of work that I do without exercise. It's a non-negotiable for me now.' Over 28,000 women are expected to take part in the Mini Marathon on June 1.
