The vast majority of people have financial concerns due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, a survey reveals.

Nearly eight in ten people have money worries and the crunch is making 30% of people 'fearful or anxious' about the future. It also showed 47% of people are seeking value on every bit of money they spend.

More than three-quarters - 77% - of people have financial worries due to the crisis, with 72% of people being conscious of prices of goods, the Aldi survey of 1,000 people found.

An increasing number of consumers are also switching to own-brand products, the survey found, with 77% having already swapped branded goods for own-label products and 73% having switched to discount supermarkets to help cut their grocery bills. Aldi said the survey was carried out to gauge the severity of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Irish consumers, and the trends and behaviour emerging with regard to personal finances.

Aldi Ireland boss Niall O'Connor said: "The research findings are stark, with more than three-quarters of people in Ireland having financial worries as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

In Association with

"It shows the extent of the impact this crisis is having on Irish consumers and the extreme measures they are taking to combat it.

"We continue to be very aware of this impact and even more committed to our customers in helping them weather this storm. We will continue to shield and protect them with low prices, starting with even bigger discounts over the coming year."

The survey also found that three-quarters of shoppers have switched to own-label goods as they look to manage their household budgets.

Mr O'Connor said: "We will continue to deliver unbeatable value in 2023 and our highquality product range means our customers will never have to choose between price, quality and healthy eating.

"We know half of the people surveyed are cutting back on fruit and vegetables and 86% on organic or environmentally friendly produce.

"We don't believe customers should have to choose between price, health and quality."

Aldi is offering discounts of more than 40% on healthy eating and staple food items in January and February.

This comes as 50% of all customers have cut back, or are intending to cut back, on their spending on fruit and vegetables in an effort to manage their budgets, while 86% have reduced or plan to reduce their spending on organic and environmentally friendly produce.

Mr O'Connor said Aldi is creating new jobs that will see the opening of 11 new shops in the next five years.

He said: "We are continuing to reinvest in Ireland by creating and maintaining jobs throughout the country and adopting the minimum wage for colleagues.

"We are pleased to announce the creation of a further 360 new jobs in addition to roles currently available across the country, as we look to continue to grow the Aldi team. We have plans to open six new stores this year, the first of which will be opening shortly in Adamstown.

"This store will represent the first store opening in Dublin since we announced our ambitious €73m investment plans for the capital.

"Delivering value and choice convenient to customers has never been more important, as the survey findings show, and we are more committed than ever to continuing to deliver value for Ireland."

Aldi also increased its minimum wage to €13.85 per hour.