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Retail Intelligence

Ice Sales Rise As Much As 200% Due To 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

By Publications Checkout
Ice Sales Rise As Much As 200% Due To 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

Irish supermarkets are reporting an increase in sales of ice cubes by as much as 200% on the back of the 'Ice Bucket Challenge', an online campaign to raise money for motor neuron research.

Tesco Bloomfield, in Dun Loaghaire (pictured), has reported a 200% rise in ice cube sales, with Thomas Guilfoyle, the store's fresh food manager telling Retail Intelligence that the campaign's popularity on social media has helped drive sales.

“I’d say we’re at the peak of this now,” he said. “If you go into any social media website, every second post is related to the 'Ice Bucket Challenge'. I think nearly everyone’s got their challenge in at this stage."

Across all stores, Tesco said that ice sales over the current weekend were 45% higher than for the same weekend last year.

Other stores Retail Intelligence spoke to have also seen a major uplift in ice sales; SuperValu Talbot Street in Dublin has seen its ice sales grow by 25%, while SuperValu Malahide has seen sales rise 10%.

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Retailers we spoke to have had to order additional stock to keep up with demand, with some doubling their usual intake. Store managers reported that sales have peaked on Fridays and Saturdays, with many people using the weekend to complete their challenges.

The 'Ice Bucket Challenge' has gained momentum in the past couple of weeks, with everyone from George W. Bush to the Rose of Tralee having had a bucket of ice water dumped on their heads in the name of charity. In Ireland, the challenge has already raised over €680,000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Nathan Evans

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