In Ireland, the cost of groceries has continued its downward trend for the tenth consecutive month, providing a welcomed respite amid rising living expenses. According to market watcher Kantar, prices decreased by 4.7% compared to the same period last year, reaching their lowest level since April 2022. The report, based on a survey of over 30,000 products, highlighted a shift towards branded goods, which now command 46% of the market share, contributing to an annual spending increase of €112 million.
Consumers, drawn to post-Christmas offers, allocated 27% of their expenditure to promotional deals, marking a 4% rise from the previous year. Valentine’s Day celebrations were characterized by a surge in chocolate box purchases, with 58% of Irish families investing €1.7 million in sweet treats. Notably, online grocery sales rose by 17.3%, with 18.4% of households opting for digital shopping.
During this period, Dun’s Stores maintained its lead in the market with a 24.3% share, followed closely by Tesco at 23.5%, and Supervalu at 20.6%. Lidl secured 12.8%, and Aldi claimed 10.9% of the market share, solidifying the grocery landscape in Ireland. Kantar’s Director of Business Development, Emer Healy, predicts the price decline will persist throughout the year.