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Subjects · Leaving Cert Home Economics

Leaving Cert Home Economics: Consumer research

How often Consumer research comes up on the Home Economics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 4 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

OL Asked on 1 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Consumer research, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Consumer research.

(a)Which is an example of field research?
  1. Reading government statistics
  2. A questionnaire given to shoppers
  3. Studying last year's sales figures
(b)Why are milk and bread placed at the back of a supermarket?
  1. They are the most profitable items the shop sells
  2. They are kept cooler there, as is required by food law
  3. Shoppers walk past other goods and make impulse buys
(c)Spar and Centra are examples of which type of retail outlet?
  1. Voluntary chains of independent retailers
  2. Discount stores owned by a single company
  3. Department stores selling many types of goods
Show the answers

(a) A questionnaire given to shoppers

(b) Shoppers walk past other goods and make impulse buys

(c) Voluntary chains of independent retailers

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Consumer research.

Higher Level

Asked on 4 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025A12, A13
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021A11
2019Not asked
2018A10
2017Not asked
2016A9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Consumer research questions

Consumer research, 2 marks

Purpose of consumer research?

  1. To enforce consumer law and fine the traders who break it in court
  2. To set the price of goods by law so that shops cannot overcharge customers
  3. To find out what consumers want, need and think, to guide products and marketing
Show the answer

To find out what consumers want, need and think, to guide products and marketing

Companies use it to develop and improve products, target the right customers and plan advertising.

Consumer research, 2 marks

What is desk research?

  1. Holding a taste panel to test a new product in a booth
  2. Using existing, published information such as CSO data and sales records
  3. Interviewing shoppers face to face in the street with a questionnaire
Show the answer

Using existing, published information such as CSO data and sales records

Desk (secondary) research is quick and cheap but may be out of date or not fit the exact question.

Consumer research, 3 marks

What is a loss leader?

  1. A popular item sold at or below cost to draw shoppers into the store
  2. An item past its best-before date, sold off cheaply at the door
  3. The most expensive brand on the shelf, placed at eye level
Show the answer

A popular item sold at or below cost to draw shoppers into the store

The shop loses on that item but expects shoppers to buy other full-price goods while they are in the store.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 1 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025A13
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Consumer research questions

Consumer research, 2 marks

Why are sweets placed near the checkout?

  1. To keep them cool
  2. Because they are essentials
  3. To encourage impulse buying
Show the answer

To encourage impulse buying

Shoppers waiting in the queue, and their children, are tempted to add sweets they had not planned to buy.

Consumer research, 2 marks

Why are dearer brands placed at eye level?

  1. The law says dearer goods must be placed at eye level
  2. Shoppers see them first and are more likely to buy them
  3. They are safer to lift from that height than from the floor
Show the answer

Shoppers see them first and are more likely to buy them

Cheaper own brands are often on the lower or higher shelves. Look up and down before choosing.

Consumer research, 2 marks

Why do some supermarkets bake bread near the entrance?

  1. The smell makes shoppers feel hungry and buy more
  2. Bread must be baked beside the door by law
  3. The smell keeps insects away
Show the answer

The smell makes shoppers feel hungry and buy more

Smells, music and lighting are all used to put shoppers in the mood to spend.

Other Home Economics topics

All of Leaving Cert Home Economics