SuperValu has once again taken the top spot in the grocery retail sector leaderboard, with the retailer accounting for 22.7% of the market, according to the latest figures published by Kantar Worldpanel Ireland for the 12-week period ending 22 May 2016.
This follows a year-on-year increase in sales of 2.9%; the tenth consecutive period of growth for the retailer. Despite retaining the top spot, however, the gap between it and second-placed Tesco has lessened significantly. Having held a 0.8 percentage point lead over Tesco last month, the gap is now only 0.3 points, after Tesco claimed a 22.4% share of the market this month.
According to David Berry, director at Kantar Worldpanel Ireland, "Tesco has managed to recruit an additional 10,000 shoppers on last year, with more than 80% of households visiting one of its stores in the latest 12 weeks. This is the first growth in footfall for Tesco in 10 periods, suggesting its investment in keeping prices down may be starting to pay off."
Elsewhere, Aldi and Lidl continue to make inroads, now accounting for 22.3% of the market when coupled together. However, after a record 72.4% of all Irish households shopped in a Lidl store in the last quarter, the gap between it and Aldi has widened slightly.
"Lidl continues to post impressive sales growth as more consumers choose to shop with the retailer – a record 72.4% of all Irish households shopped in a Lidl store in the last quarter, widening the gap between it and rival discounter Aldi. Sales growth for Aldi stands at 2.4% in the latest quarter – a positive step up from the previous results for April, and an early sign that sales growth might be starting to improve again," explains Berry.
Other than Aldi, Dunnes Stores was the only other retailer to perform ahead of the market this month. It grew sales by 8.0% (versus the market growth of 4.0%), the 19th consecutive period of growth for the retailer, with the average spend at a Dunnes Stores outlet now standing at €37.20, over €15 above the national average of €21.80.
Berry concluded by saying, “Consumers are making more frequent visits to supermarkets, averaging an additional four trips in the latest 12 weeks compared with last year and driving volume growth across the market. Coupled with increased prices, this means that the average household is spending an additional €50 on groceries this year, amounting to an extra €89 million for the market."
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
