Dunnes Stores holds the highest share amongst all retailers, at 23.7%, with growth of 10.3%, year on year, according to the latest figures from Kantar.
This growth stems from an influx of new shoppers in store – up by 1.34 percentage points – and shoppers returning more often contributed an additional €24.9 million to Dunnes’ overall performance.
Tesco is close behind, with 23.1% market share and growth of 9.8%, year on year.
According to the data, Tesco also has the strongest frequency growth amongst all retailers – up by 10%, year on year.
SuperValu holds 20.9% of the market and 0.9% growth.
Among the Irish grocery retailers, SuperValu shoppers make the most trips in store, with 20.8 trips on average – up by 9.2%, year on year.
Lidl holds 12.2% share and 9.9% growth, year on year.
New shoppers and more frequent trips contributed an additional €25.5 million to its overall performance.
Aldi holds 11.6% share and 6.8% growth, year on year, with new shoppers and more frequent trips contributing an additional €10.8 million to its overall performance.
Take-Home Grocery Sales
Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 5% in the four weeks to 23 January 2023, with grocery price inflation driving value sales growth, rather than volume driving market growth.
In January, the average price per pack rose by 14.6%, while volume per trip went down by 13%, showing the challenges that Irish shoppers are facing.
In the 12-week period to 23 January 2023, take-home grocery sales increased by 6.8%, with shoppers contributing an additional €211.8 million to the overall market performance.
As a result, shoppers spent an additional €90.50 per household, year on year.
Emer Healy, senior retail analyst, Kantar, commented, “The sector growth comes as grocery price inflation hit 16.3% – the highest level seen since Kantar started tracking grocery inflation.
“However, this does trail just behind Great Britain, where inflation hit 16.7% after two months of slight decline. Irish households will now face an extra €1,159 on their annual shopping bills if they don’t change their behaviour to cut costs.”
Trading Down
Healy highlighted that, with consumers keeping a close eye on their purse strings after indulging during the festive period, it’s no surprise that shoppers continued to trade down to supermarkets’ own-label products during this period, with sales rising by 10.4% – well ahead of a 4.7% increase in branded lines.
“Sales of premium own-label lines have reached €152.6 million – up [by] €5.7 million from last year – with €26.7 million of that coming from premium own-label chilled convenience products in the 12-week period – a strong growth of 11.6%,” Healy said.
“Value own-label lines saw the strongest growth – up [by] 34%, year on year – with shoppers spending €17.9 million more on these ranges.”
Good Intentions
Many Irish shoppers kicked off 2023 with good intentions, making health a priority, the research shows.
Shoppers spent an additional €848,000 on vitamins and mineral supplements.
Veganuary saw sales of meat-free alternatives grow by 4%, with shoppers spending an additional €102,000 on tofu.
Dry January also saw sales of non-alcoholic beverages grow by 4.6%, with 5% of Irish households purchasing a non-alcoholic beverage during January.
Online sales remained strong during January – up by 5.6%, year on year – with shoppers spending an additional €8.5 million in online channels.
© 2023 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.
