The value of grocery sales rose 6.2% in the four weeks to 10 August despite shoppers visiting supermarkets less often and picking up less per trip as inflation rose.

The latest figures from Worldpanel by Numerator show grocery inflation increased from 5.43% in the previous 12-week period to 5.86% while shopping frequency (-0.5%) and packs per trip (-2.6%) both declined.

Overall the value of the grocery market increased by €68.2m, thanks to a host of festivals and concerts and the Galway Races.

“August kicked off with a bang with the All Together Now Festival, Galway Races and the Oasis comeback and Robbie Williams filling Croke Park,” said Emer Healy, business development director at Worldpanel by Numerator.

“Irish social calendars have been overflowing with consumers enjoying the last of the summer sun, spending a whopping €7.2m extra on alcohol and an additional €1.3m on suncare. Shoppers also indulged in other ways, spending an additional €8.9m on take-home soft drinks and chocolate.

"With such busy calendars, it’s clear that shoppers needed a bit of an energy boost with nearly €1m more spent on sports and energy drinks compared to the same time last year.”

Shoppers spent €735m on promotional lines during the latest 12-week period, an 8.9% increase compared to the previous year. Key growth categories included alcohol, frozen and household all growing ahead of the total market for promotional lines.

Sales of branded goods increased 3.7% compared to 5.7% growth in the total market, with shoppers shelling out an additional €58.7m on branded items.

Own label saw stronger growth over the 12 weeks at 6.3% with premium own label the standout performer, up 14.5%. Shoppers spent nearly €17.7 million extra on these ranges.

Brands currently hold 47% value share of the total market with own label at 47.1% value share.

Online currently holds 5.6% value share of the market, with sales rising by 6.8% year-on-year, and shoppers spending an additional €12.5m on the internet.

Over the latest 12-week period, shoppers purchased their groceries more often online, up 7.6%, contributing €13.8m to its overall performance, down on last month’s €15.7m.

Dunnes Stores holds 23.5% market share, with sales growth of 6.3% year-on-year, just ahead of Tesco on 23.4%, which saw growth of 5.6%.

SuperValu holds 19.7% of the market with growth of 4.2%. Lidl holds 14.2% of the market with growth of 9.5%, and Aldi holds an 11.8% share after sales rose 4.4%.

(Pic: Getty Images)