Grocery inflation in Ireland has fallen to 2.9% in the 12 weeks to 14 April 2024 – down by 12.9 percentage points, compared to April last year, according to data from Kantar.
As inflation reached its lowest level since March 2022, take-home grocery sales increased by 4% in the four weeks to 14 April 2024.
Shoppers spent more than usual in store in April, as Easter and the school holidays approached, with 22% more Easter eggs purchased in 2024 than there were last year.
Volumes per trip increased slightly, by 0.4%, as did store visits (1%), with shoppers making, on average, 21.5 trips in the month of April.
The average price per pack grew marginally this month, by 0.7%.
Although value sales are up for April, this was mainly driven by grocery price inflation, rather than increased purchasing.
Market Share
Within the Irish grocery market, Dunnes Stores holds the highest market share, at 23.9%, with year-on-year growth of 8%.
This is slightly below last month, when it held 24% of the market.
Tesco comes next, with 23% of the market – up by 7.6%, year on year.
It has the strongest trip frequency growth – up by 8.9%, year on year – which contributed an additional €62.3 million to the retailer’s overall performance.
SuperValu retains its third position, with 20.4% of the market and growth of 3.5%.
Shoppers at SuperValu make the most frequent in-store trips, with an average amount of 21.8.
It also has the strongest growth in volume per trip among Irish retailers – up by 5.8% – contributing an additional €37.4 million to its overall performance.
Lidl holds a 13.6% share, with year-on-year growth of 6.4%.
More frequent trips added €33 million to its overall performance.
It was followed by Aldi, with 12.1% of the market and a year-on-year decline of 0.6%.
New shoppers and more frequent trips contributed an additional €8.4 million to the discounter’s overall performance.
‘More Positive Outlook’
Speaking about the results, the business development director at Kantar, Emer Healy, said, “This is the twelfth month in a row that there’s been a drop in grocery inflation, so more good news for consumers.
“It’s the lowest inflation level we have seen since March 2022.
“What’s more, our latest pressure group survey shows that Irish consumers have a more positive outlook, with fewer people struggling financially, thanks to the easing of inflationary pressures.
“Around a quarter of shoppers admit they are still struggling, and while this is still significant, it’s a big improvement on the 32% who reported the same last October.”
For seasonal sales, Healy added, “An early Easter didn’t affect seasonal confectionery sales this year, as spending topped €23.9 million for the first time ever in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.
“While rising prices played a major role, the number of chocolate Easter eggs sold in the seven days to Easter was also 22% higher than this time last year, with nearly 34% of Irish consumers buying one during this period.
“A record €9.9 million was spent on Easter eggs alone,” Healy said.
Read More: Irish Grocery Inflation Down 16% From Last Year – Kantar
