Discounter Aldi Ireland posted an 11.9% increase in sales in the 12-week period to 21 April, to sit on 11.9% market share, according to the latest supermarket share data from Kantar.
The second fastest-growing retailer in Ireland in the period was Dunnes Stores, the data found, which saw a 6.1% increase in sales to maintain its market-leading position, on 22.2% share.
Tesco retains second place in the market, with a 21.8% share, following a 2.8% increase in sales, while SuperValu sits on 21.4% share, following a 0.6% increase in sales.
Fellow discounter Lidl is on 11.5% market share, following a 5.7% increase in sales, the Kantar data found.
Growth Rates
“Growth of 18% for Aldi in the Connacht and Ulster region was the strongest increase recorded by any retailer in any one region, while Lidl’s 13% growth in Munster makes it the fastest-growing grocer in the southern provinces,” commented Douglas Faughnan, consumer insight director at Kantar.
Dunnes’ leadership position was helped by a move towards more premium items, as well as its partnerships with specialists such as James Whelan Butchers and Sheridans Cheesemongers, Kantar reported.
“Encouragingly for Dunnes, shoppers appear to be happy to spend more in store,” Faughnan said. “The average price paid at the retailer is up 1.9% on last year, generating an extra €10 million in sales.”
The period measured included Easter, with shoppers splashing out €208.2 million in Easter week alone, boosting the overall sector by 4.1% over the 12-week period.
“Shopper visits to the major retailers grew by 1.3% on last year, yielding an additional €28.7 million of value,” said Faughnan. “Consumers spent a total of €44 million on Easter eggs leading up to Easter Sunday, while fresh lamb, a traditional favourite, generated €29 million.”
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
