Irish grocery sales rise 6.3% driven by sunshine and sport
Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 6.3% over the four weeks to July 12, 2026 compared to the same period last year.
This is according to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator, which showed that pressure on shoppers eased last month, with like-for-like grocery prices up 4.16% - the slowest rate of increase since February 2025.
Sunshine and sport
July brought a wave of warm weather alongside major sporting events, prompting Irish shoppers to stock up and celebrate at home.
Shoppers made 44 million trips to stores last month, up 3.6% compared to the same period last year and equating to an average of 23 trips per household.
Volumes were also up, rising by 2.5%.
Grocery inflation eases
Worldpanel by Numerator said that branded goods performed strongly last month, growing by 10.6% in value and adding €173 million this period, with value share hitting 49%.
Own label grew more modestly at 3.4%, adding €58 million, while premium ranges also held their own, up 9.8% in value and leading all ranges on pack growth at 15%.
Worldpanel by Numerator business development director, Emer Healy said: “Irish shoppers made the most of the hot spell and big sporting occasions, while an easing in grocery price inflation, now increasing at the slowest rate since February 2025, was another cause for celebration.
"Shoppers clearly felt like they had a little more room to trade up, which explains why branded goods and premium ranges both grew faster than own label this period."
Irish shoppers continued to hunt for value, reflected by sales on promotion accounting for 23.4% of value share over the latest 12-week period and rising by 14.2% year-on-year.
At-home snacking prompted increased sales on promotion across categories including antipasti (up 24%), crisps (up 27%), chilled ready meals (up 29%) and energy drinks (up 43%).
Online also benefited from the rays, as shoppers opted to have their groceries delivered to their doors.
Online sales rose by 23.2% year-on-year, with shoppers spending an additional €15.8 million, while frequency was at the highest level recorded, with shoppers making on average four trips over the month.
Shoppers
Over the month of July, categories benefitting from the warm weather performed well, with sales up across savoury snacks (16.6%), alcohol (11.5%), soft drinks (8.7%) and prepared fruit (4.2%).
Shoppers also spent an additional €3.7 million on deodorant and suncare over the period as they battled the heat.
Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes held 23.7% market share, Tesco held 23.5% of the market, and SuperValu held 19.6%.
Lidl grew its market share to 15% while Aldi held 11.1% market share.
