Irish shoppers have spent a combined additional €2 million on flour, eggs and chocolate spread for Pancake Tuesday this year, latest Kantar figures have shown.
Grocery sales last month recorded a 5.4% boost in the four weeks to February 18, with consumers indulging in Valentine’s Day and Pancake Tuesday this year.
Volumes of boxed and gifting chocolates increased by 3.7% in the 12 weeks to February 18, with shoppers spending an additional €1.7 million year-on-year.
With many celebrating Valentine’s Day at home, shoppers spent an additional €4.3 million on chilled ready meals, €1.8 million on chilled desserts and €916,000 on sparkling wine.
Grocery sales
However, value sales growth was driven by grocery price inflation rather than consumers buying more, Kantar said. During the 12-week period, grocery inflation stood at 4.7%.
This is down from 5.9% in January and is the tenth month in a row that inflation has fallen. The level of inflation has now reached its lowest point since April 2022.
Own-label items hold 46% of the market share as sales of own-label ranges grow ahead of the total market at 7.5%, with shoppers spending an additional €112 million year-on-year.
Irish shoppers also spent an additional €19 million on premium own-label ranges, up by 12.5% compared to this time last year, while sales of brand goods rose by 4.7% over the 12 weeks.
Promotional levels rose after the post-Christmas slowdown, with over 27% of all spending on items with promotional offers. Dunnes, Tesco, Aldi and Lidl saw strong growth in sales on promotion.
Online sales rose by 17.3% year-on-year with shoppers spending an additional €28.3 million online versus last year. In total, 18.4% of Irish households now purchase groceries online.