Discounter Aldi has posted a rare decline in year-on-year sales in the Irish market, according to the latest grocery share figures from Kantar Worldpanel for the 12-week period to 28 January.
The discounter saw its year-on-year sales decline by 0.7% for the period, to stand on 10.3% market share, the figures indicate. According to Kantar Worldpanel, this is the first time in ten years that Aldi has experienced a sales decrease over a 12-week period.
Rival discounter Lidl, meanwhile, saw its sales increase by 4.6% year on year, to sit on 10.5% share, while all the other retailers in the Irish market also posted year-on-year growth.
Grocery market inflation for the 12-week period was -0.1%.
Market Performance
Family-owned retailer Dunnes Stores has retained its position at the top of the Irish grocery market, posting growth of 5.7% year on year, to stand on 23.2% market share.
“Loyalty continues to define Irish grocery, with shoppers now less likely to shop around and committed to spending more with their retailer of choice,” said David Berry, director at Kantar Worldpanel. “Dunnes has capitalised on this trend, successfully counteracting lower footfall with higher spending from its existing customers.”
Tesco retains second place in the Irish grocery marketplace, with 22.7% market share, followed by SuperValu in third, with 22.2% share.
The period marks the tenth successive period that Tesco has enjoyed sales growth, boosting its market share by 30 basis points year on year.
In the case of SuperValu, Dublin proved to be a strong market for the retailer, which grew its sales by 2.1% year on year.
One retailer on the rise is Iceland, which holds just 0.6% market share in Ireland, but is gaining a foothold in the frozen aisle.
“Helped by store openings in 2017 – the retailer opened its twentieth Irish outlet on 23 January – the grocer has managed to increase its share of frozen-food sales from 4.3% to 6.0% year on year during the past 12 weeks,” Berry commented.
Branded Performance
Elsewhere, the period was notable for a return to form for branded goods, which are up 4% year on year.
“The recovery of branded sales began in late 2017 and has continued apace in the new year,” said Berry.
“Sales of brands are up 4% year on year, as shoppers parted with an additional €49 million on their favourites during the past 12 weeks. This is the first time in four years that brands have posted stronger sales growth than their own-label counterparts, with alcohol, baked goods, frozen food and toiletries performing best,” he added.
Healthy products also enjoyed a rise, as consumers sought to eat healthier in January, with spinach, berries and avocados up by 46%, 19% and 6%, respectively.
“Shoppers’ increasing interest in vegetarian and vegan lifestyles was clear, as sales of vegetarian options surged by 18%,” said Berry. “One in five shoppers picked up a vegetarian product during the past 12 weeks.”
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
