Dunnes Stores has returned to top spot as the leading supermarket in Ireland for the first time in nine months, according to the latest grocery market share figures released by Kantar Worldpanel in Ireland. The report was published Monday 20 November for the 12 weeks ending 5 November 2017.
Dunnes Stores now holds 22.4% share of the market after seeing a 1.4% increase in value sales since the same period last year. In second place is SuperValu, coming close with 22% share of the market, while Tesco have fallen to third place with 21.9%.
Commenting on the latest figures, David Berry, director at Kantar Worldpanel stated, “Dunnes Stores traditionally posts a strong performance towards the end of the year and 2017 is no exception.”
“While growth of 1.4% compared to this time last year is slightly behind the market average, shoppers have spent almost €2 more per trip this period, which has been enough for the retailer to edge ahead of the competition.”
Tesco Has Strongest Growth
The latest figures show that Tesco has experienced the strongest growth this month, as its figures are 5.1% higher compared to this time last year.
David Berry explained, “The retailer is the only one of the top five not to lose shoppers this year, and customers have been tempted in by lower prices.”
“On average, customers have paid 2% less than this time last year and in turn has contributed to shoppers making bigger trips and returning to store more often.”
Lidl and Aldi have both continued to see sales growth ahead of the market – up 3.8 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively.
Storm Ophelia
The Irish grocery market was surprisingly effected by Storm Ophelia, with stores experiencing a spike in sales as shoppers stocked up in preparation.
Mr. Berry said, “Storm Ophelia – which hit on the 16 October – had a surprisingly strong effect on the Irish grocery market. The week before Ophelia landed, supermarkets were buoyed by a spike in sales as shoppers battened down the hatches in preparation for the course of the storm. Munster in particular saw an uplift in sales, with growth reaching 12% during that week.”
