Thumbs down:Figures from consumer think-tank, the Future Foundation may have shed a little light on why we consistently pay more than our EU neighbours for our shopping.
The figures, issued last week, show Irish consumers are the most brand-loyal in Europe, with 70 per cent of 55-year-olds, 60 per cent of 40-to54-year-olds, and half of those aged 25-39 consistently buying the same brand of product rather than shopping around.
Spray waves
Thumbs down:Cosmetic firm Clarins has been criticised for failing to prove claims that a skin spray protected against "electromagnetic waves" caused by mobile phones and other devices. The firm's advert for Expertise 3P said the product formed "an advanced anti-pollution complex" for the skin. But the British Advertising Standards Authority said Clarins made an "undue appeal" to readers' fears about possible skin damage and failed to prove its claims.
Making a call
Thumbs up:Consumers could be the winners if Vodafone, O2 and Meteor pass on the savings they'll make after reaching an agreement to drop their wholesale charges to 7.99 cent by 2012. At present their wholesale rates - charges they levy on each other to connect calls to their networks - are up to 12 cent.
