Dunnes Stores has once again been crowned as the nation’s largest grocer for the eighth consecutive period.
Tesco experienced sales growth of 2.8%, its strongest of 2019 so far, in the 12 weeks to 21 April 2019, according to the latest figures from Kantar.
“It’s all the more impressive that the retailer has managed to maintain increasing sales considering at this time last year it was growing at 6.2%," said Douglas Faughnan, consumer insight director at Kantar.
“Tesco’s own label offer now accounts for 47% of its sales and is increasing at 4.3%, boosting the retailer’s overall performance.”
SuperValu also showed a return to growth this period which was bolstered by a 'robust performance' in fresh food.
Fresh lamb, fish and beef sales were up by 13.2%, 12.8% and 11.0% respectively – underpinning the retailer’s reputation as a traditionally strong performer among Easter dinner staples, the research showed.
Overall Growth
Sales in the Irish grocery market hit record levels as shoppers splashed out €208.2 million in the Easter week alone helping the overall sector grow by 4.1%.
"With both the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday and the Easter weekend giving shoppers cause for celebration over the past 12 weeks, there have been plenty of excuses for people to get in store and spend," Faughnan highlighted.
"Shopper visits to the major retailers grew by 1.3% on last year, yielding an additional €28.7 million of value. Consumers spent a total of €44 million on Easter eggs leading up to Easter Sunday, while fresh lamb, a traditional favourite, generated €29 million.”
Major Gains
Aldi and Lidl, while continuing to perform strongly in Dublin, are making major gains outside of the capital as well.
Faughnan added: “Growth of 18% for Aldi in the Connaught and Ulster region was the strongest increase recorded by any retailer in any one region, while Lidl’s 13% growth in Munster makes it the fastest growing grocer in the southern provinces.”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
