Dunnes Stores holds the market lead and Tesco claims the strongest trip frequency, as grocery inflation falls for the 13th consecutive month, according to Kantar.
The market researcher reported that Dunnes Stores holds 23.7% of the market share, with growth of 7%, year on year, followed by Tesco, with a 23% share and 7.1% growth.
Tesco has the strongest trip frequency – up by 8.7%, year on year – contributing an additional €61.2 million to its overall performance.
Dunnes’ growth was also driven mainly by trip frequency – up by 4% – contributing €29.7 million to its overall performance.
SuperValu holds 20.4% of the market share, with 3.7% growth, above Lidl, with 13.6% market share and 6.1% growth.
Aldi came next, with 11.6% of the market share and 0.0% growth.
Sales
Kantar reported that take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 4.7% in the four weeks to 12 May 2024.
Early summer weather saw shoppers picking up items to enjoy in the sunshine, with volumes per trip up slightly, at 0.2%, and frequency going up by 1%.
Shoppers made 21 trips, on average, over the month of May, as average prices grew by 1.8% – up on last month’s 0.7%.
Grocery inflation stands at 2.6% in the 12 weeks to 12 May 2024 – down by 13.3%, compared to the same period last year.
Although value sales are up significantly, grocery inflation remains the driving force, rather than increased purchasing.
Premium own-label items performed strongly – up by 12.6% on last year, as brands grew by 4% over the latest 12 weeks, though that growth was slightly behind the total market.
Online sales went up by 18.6%, year on year, with shoppers spending an additional €31.1 million on the platform.
‘Still Looking For Bargains’
The business development director at Kantar, Emer Healy, said, “Once again, we see grocery inflation fall for the 13th month in a row – now hitting at the lowest level we have seen since March 2022.
“This is welcome news, but Irish consumers are still looking for bargains, with over 25% of value sales on promotion – down 4% since January 2024.
“Retailers are also promoting their own-label ranges to get shoppers through the door.
“Sales of own-label are performing well and growing ahead of the total market – at 5.7%, year on year – with shoppers spending an additional €86 million, year on year.”
Healy continued, “We saw the first signs of summer just in time for the early May bank holiday.
“Irish consumers celebrated by dusting off their barbecues at the first opportunity.
“This month, shoppers spent an additional €614k on sausages, €497k on chilled burgers and grills, €454k on chilled prepared salads and €3.4 million on soft drinks, to make the most of the sun.
“Sales of beer and wine were also up 4.1%, with shoppers spending an additional €2.7 million, compared to last month.”
Read More: Dunnes Stores Holds Market Lead As Irish Grocery Inflation Falls – Kantar
