The latest supermarket share figures from Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland, published today for the 12 weeks ending 2 February, show SuperValu performing strongly, increasing its market share to 20.1 per cent from 19.9 per cent despite a slowdown in overall grocery spend. Aside from Aldi and Lidl, Supervalu is the only grocer in growth, it found.

Mark Thomson, business unit director at Kantar Worldpanel, explained: “Amid a challenging market backdrop, SuperValu continues to maintain solid growth ahead of the market at 0.7 per cent. It has benefited from welcoming around 30,000 new customers to its stores, with 63 per cent of the Republic of Ireland now doing their grocery shop with the retailer. The store’s increased prominence is key as 24 Superquinn stores convert to the SuperValu fascia this month.”

The research also found that Tesco’s market share has dipped from 27.7 per cent to 26 per cent, despite 87 per cent of Irish shoppers frequenting its stores – more than any other retailer. Dunnes and Superquinn have both lost ground with shares standing at 23.8 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively, while the discounters continue to thrive. Aldi has increased its share points by 1.3 per cent to 7.2 per cent, with Lidl holding 6.6 per cent of the market.

Thomson continued: “This slowdown in spending is partly linked to price inflation which has halved from the heights of six per cent last year to 2.9 per cent, slightly ahead of inflation in Britain which stands at 2.1 per cent. The fall in prices across vegetables is still a contributing factor to the performance of the grocery market, with shoppers spending €12 less on fresh vegetables compared with the same period last year. Although levels of inflation are reducing in Ireland, the financial pressure on people’s budgets remains an important factor in deciding where people shop, and what they are buying.”

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