The grocery market reached a value of €2.37 billion last month after shoppers began buying more goods as average prices fell slightly, according to research.
The sector expanded by 2.2%, or €50 million, for the 12 weeks ending May 21, with the figures from Kantar Worldpanel revealing that SuperValu retained the largest share of the market at 22.5%.
Dunnes saw footfall drop by 54,000 over the three-month period but this was offset by shoppers spending 10% more – or €47 extra on average – compared to the previous quarter. Overall sales at the retailer rose 4.9% year-on-year.
Kantar Worldpanel Director David Berry said: “With the average price per pack falling slightly, growth has been driven by households buying extra items, with the average shopping basket increasing in size.
Sales at SuperValu have increased by 1.2% as shoppers added more items to their trolleys, spending an additional €1 on average per trip compared with this time last year.
Lidl experienced growth of almost 3% over the quarter to take 11.4% of the market after seeing almost one additional trip per shopper. Meanwhile, sales at Aldi rose 4% as the retailer reached a market share of 11.2%.
The figures coincided with SuperValu’s announcement that it has partnered with a Co. Wexford farmer to launch an Irish range of Wagyu beef, which is already available in Ballincollig, Skibbereen, Clonakilty and Wexford.
The cattle farmer from Murrintown, Karl Strehlow, said the two-year project – which includes Kepak – involved careful planning and marked the latest milestone in his 10-year partnership with SuperValu.
He said: “Our cattle are a mix of heifers and steers and are between 50% and 100% Wagyu. These cattle have a unique history and are specially bred under conditions that produce beef of unrivalled quality.”