Argos record best sale figures in two years in the UK
In the UK, Argos has recorded its best sales figures for two years.
Owner Home Retail Group says total sales were up 2.6% to £868m in the 13 weeks to the end of May, thanks to a surge of online sales.
The company has agreed a £1.4bn takeover by Sainsbury's.
According to Visa Europe’s consumer Spending Index, Irish consumer expenditure across all payment types (cash, cheques and electronic payments) has risen sharply all year.
Spending was up +9.2% year-on-year, slightly slower than the +9.6% rise in April, but still among the strongest in the 21-month history so far.
Philip Konopik, Country Manager, Ireland, Visa Europe said: “The latest data from the Irish Consumer Spending Index is another boost for the economy and it is positive to see all sectors benefit from increases in expenditure levels.”
