The value of take-home grocery sales increased 5.7 per cent year-on-year during the four-week period to 15 June, the latest data from Kantar shows.
Consumers made an average of 22.7 trips to the supermarket this month, the highest recorded level of summer shopping frequency for four years (21.4 in June 2021), contributing an additional €28.8 million to the market's overall performance.
Grocery prices have also risen 5.3% compared to the same 12-week period last year, which Kantar business development manager Emer Healy said had clearly affected both sales performance and shopper behaviour.
"As grocery bills rise alongside other household expenses, Irish consumers are cautious with their spending and actively seek out promotions to secure the best value," she added.
Healy said that the good weather led to a six per cent spike in sun cream sales compared to last June, with shoppers also outlaying more on fresh fruit, water, dilutes, smoothies and juices (+€11.6m) and chilled ready meals (+€2.4m).
Consumers spent €802m on promotional lines during the latest 12-week period, up 15.7 per cent year-on-year, led by growth in key categories such as table sauces, fabs and mixers, carbonates, frozen confectionery, beer and cider.
Sales of brands and own label products both increased 6.2 per cent or €197m, and own label (47.3 per cent) overtook brands (47.1 per cent) in terms of market share.
Premium own label experienced double-digit growth (+15.3 per cent) over the 12 weeks, outperforming the total market (+6.9 per cent) and both brands and own label. This growth has resulted in a 4.1 per cent value share for premium own label compared to 3.8 per cent last year.
Online shopping now accounts for 5.9 per cent of the value of the market, with sales up 9.1 per cent or €17.5m from last June. Over the latest 12-week period, shoppers purchased their groceries more often online, up by 8.9 per cent, contributing €16.9m to its overall performance.
Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes Stores held a 23.6 per cent market share, with sales growth of eight per cent year-on-year. Dunnes shoppers returned to store more often, up 5.6 per cent which contributed a combined €43.9m to their overall performance.
Tesco held 23.3 per cent of the market, with value growth of 7.7 per cent year-on-year. Shoppers increased their trips to store by 4.4 per cent, which contributed €34.1m to overall performance.
SuperValu held 20.2 per cent of the market with growth of 5.6 per cent. Consumers made the most shopping trips to this grocer, averaging 25 trips over the latest 12 weeks, this is the highest shopping trips seen since July 2023. This increase in the number of shopping trips contributed an additional €51.7m to its performance.
Lidl held 14 per cent market share, up 8.5 per cent. Lidl recruited new shoppers in-store, while encouraging consumers to make larger trips, resulting in an additional €13m in sales. Aldi held 11.8 per cent market share, up 6.4 per cent. Increased store trips and new shoppers drove an additional €26.9m in sales.
(Pic: Getty Images)
