Grocery sales up in Ireland

The Irish retail landscape remains challenging despite growth as retailers battle hard to hold on to shoppers post-Christmas, reports Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland.

After a strong performance at Christmas, Irish grocery market sales were up 1.2% for the 12 weeks ending February 1.

Kantar Worldpanel consumer insight director Georgieann Harrington said there are clear signs Ireland’s grocery market is improving along with the overall economy. “Shoppers are taking advantage of lower grocery prices by visiting the supermarkets more often and putting more in their baskets when they go. On average, consumers increased their grocery spending by €5 in the latest period,” she said.

“The battle for shoppers will continue well into 2015 and this will create more value for Irish households as retailers go head to head.”

Kantar Worldpanel’s latest supermarket share rankings – for the 12 weeks ending February 1 – were:

1. Tesco: has maintained its market-leading position, holding just over a quarter of the market, though its sales are down 2.1% on the same time last year;

2. SuperValu: continues to grow and now holds just under a quarter share of the market;

3. Dunnes: with a 23.8% share, has seen its basket spend increase by 3% to just over €35 and its sales growth of 1.7% made it the best performing supermarket;

4. Aldi: has an 8% share and has also continued to perform well, achieving 11.5% sales growth as its shoppers spend more on each visit;

5. Lidl: with 7.4% continued its strong performance with 12.5% sales growth and shoppers visiting its stores more often. Three in five Irish households shopped in either Lidl or Aldi in the previous 12 weeks.

Data to February 1, 2015 (source: Kantar Worldpanel)

Read more: http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/grocery-market-share/ireland