Dunnes Stores has retained its position as Ireland’s largest grocer, having held a 23.3% market share in the latest 12 weeks, with year-on-year growth of 7.4%, research shows.
The latest grocery market share figures from Kantar in Ireland showed that Dunnes has also seen the strongest penetration growth due to new shoppers in store amongst all retailers (3.3 percentage points).
Tesco holds 22.2% of the grocery retail market, with year-on-year growth of 7.3%.
It also has the strongest frequency growth amongst all retailers, of 10.4%, year on year.
SuperValu holds a 20.9% share and continues to hold the highest frequency amongst all retailers, at 21.1 trips – up by 5.8%.
Lidl holds a 12.8% share, with year-on-year growth of 7.3%.
New shoppers in store and existing shoppers returning more often contributed a combined additional €26.2 million to its overall performance.
Aldi holds 12.4% of the market, growing by 4.0%, year on year, with existing shoppers returning to stores more often contributing an additional €18.3 million to its overall performance.
Take-Home Grocery Sales
Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 4.6% in the 12 weeks to 27 November 2022.
Shoppers spent an additional €132 million as grocery price inflation hit 14.7% – the highest level since Kantar started tracking inflation figures, and higher than the UK grocery inflation level.
In November, grocery sales increased by 4.5%, driven by an 11.5% increase in average prices and shoppers returning to stores more often.
Online sales have also increased by 3.5% in the last month, with shoppers spending an additional €1.7 million, year on year.
A rise in the number of new shoppers continues to drive performance, with nearly 13% of Irish households purchasing their groceries online during the month.
Inflation Impact
A combination of rising inflation and festive spending means that December is set to be a record-breaking month, with grocery sales hitting €1.25 billion for the first time, while Friday 23 December is set to be the busiest day for pre-Christmas shopping.
Emer Healy, senior retail analyst, said, “As food and drink prices continue to rise alongside pressures on household bills, the impact on shopper budgets is unavoidable for many people. Now, with inflation at 14.7%, the average annual grocery bill is set to rise from €7,037 to €8,071 – an extra €1,034 a year.
“At a basket level, that’s an additional €4.23 on top of the cost of the average shopping trip, of €28.75.
“The cost of a traditional Christmas dinner for four has hit €41.58, up 7.9% – an indication of how much rising prices are impacting Irish consumers.
“Despite inflationary and other pressures, Irish shoppers are still stocking up on festive treats this year. In the latest 12 weeks, they spent an additional €1.2 million on gifting and chocolate boxes, €3.5 million more on savoury snacking, and €617,000 on mince pies,” Healy added.
“However, it seems that not all festive favourites are proving popular, with shoppers spending €189,000 less on Brussels sprouts.”
Private Label
According to the data, sales of own label grew by 9.6% in the latest 12 weeks, as shoppers spent an additional €118 million, year on year.
Own-label value ranges saw the strongest growth, up by 29%, year on year, with shoppers spending an additional €14.4 million therein.
Sales of premium own-label and brands also grew, up by 5.1% and 1.6%, respectively, as shoppers looked to treat themselves during the festive season, with an additional €5.6 million spent on branded chocolate and €262,000 on premium own-label crisps.
The frequency of shopping trips also hit a new high during this period, with households making more than 59 trips in the 12 weeks to 27 November.
This is the highest frequency recorded by Kantar since June 2021, and largely due to the slow and steady return of pre-Covid behaviours.
© 2022 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
