The cost of the weekly food shop in Ireland has continued to soar as new figures published today (Monday, September 22) show that grocery price inflation now stands at 6.3%.

The figures from Worldpanel by Numerator highlight the jump in grocery price inflation over the latest 12-week period, up from 5.4% in the previous 12 weeks.

According to Emer Healy, business development director at Worldpanel by Numerator, back to school shopping boosted grocery sales by 6.1% in the four weeks to September 7.

"Convenience is also a priority, with an extra €1.6 million spent on fresh and frozen ready meals and cooking sauces compared with last year," Healy added.

The latest analysis also details that overall, shoppers spent an additional €68.8 million on groceries in the four weeks to September, compared with the same period last year.

One key trend that emerged in the latest 12-week period under review is that households with children also made "greater use of online shopping" - spending an additional €6.6 million compared with the previous month.

Their online shop included an additional spend of €1.2 million on sliced meats, yoghurts, breakfast cereals and biscuits as they stocked up for school lunches.

According to Worldpanel by Numerator shoppers were also on the lookout for promotions - spending €758 million on promotional lines during the latest 12-week period, an increase of 8.2% on the previous year.

The latest figures show that promotional spending now makes up 21.5% of all grocery sales.

Shopper favourites in this category included laundry, water, squash, and smoothies.