According to the data, Wednesday, January 11 was the busiest single day, with flight-related expenditure 57% more than the daily average.

In comparison to the same 11-month period in 2022, total spending increased by 8% between January and November, according to the annual spending review.

Based on information gathered from more than 800 million card transactions made by AIB clients between January and November, both in-person and online, the analysis was conducted.

The higher expenditure is probably the result of rising costs, rising household consumption, and a shift in consumer behaviour from using cash to cards.

August was the busiest month for restaurants in the hospitality industry, and bank holiday weekends were the main times when people spent money in bars.

May was the busiest month for hair salons, barbershops, and beauticians, with 10% more money spent than on a daily average.

It is thought that the higher expenditure was in line with that month's ceremonies of confirmation and communion.

The study shows that Swifties were outspent by Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay fans in terms of entertainment and ticket sales.

Tuesday, July 25, when Coldplay tickets went on pre-sale, was the day with the most expenditure on tickets. Monday, November 6, when Bruce Springsteen tickets went on sale, and Thursday, July 20, when Taylor Swift tickets went on sale, came next in order of highest spending.

The biggest day of the year for total expenditure was Black Friday, which fell on November 24.

“2023 has seen strong performances for many sectors and it's great to see the resilience of businesses that faced their fair share of challenges this year, from cost-of-living pressures to severe weather events and a wet summer,” John Brennan, the head of SME banking at the AIB,

“Retail and hospitality are expected to have a busy December, which means that many firms will close the year strongly. We also know that many individuals will be making travel and spending plans for the upcoming year in January. These data insights will kick off the New Year with a bang and assist those industries in planning for 2024,” he continued.