Kantar: 'Abnormally hot weather has shoppers out more often'
Kantar has claimed that abnormally hot weather over the last two months, and the June Bank Holiday, have seen Irish shoppers out and about more often, with take-home value sales up 5.7% over the four weeks to June 15, 2025, compared to the same period last year.
According to Kantar, shoppers were in store an average of 22.7 times during June, contributing an additional €28.8 million to the market's overall performance.
Kantar highlighted that this is the highest summer frequency recorded since June 2021, when frequency was an average of 21.4.
The business development director at Kantar, Emer Healy said: "The rise in average prices is clearly affecting both sales performance and shopper behaviour.
"As grocery bills rise alongside other household expenses, Irish consumers are cautious with their spending and actively seek out promotions to secure the best value."
"Shoppers spent a combined additional €11.6 million on prepared fresh fruit, water and dilutes, smoothies and juices. Convenience was also a priority as the sun shone, with an additional €2.4 million spent on chilled ready meals," she added.
According to Kantar, shoppers spent €802 million on promotional lines during the latest 12-week period, which represents a 15.7% increase compared to 2024.
There was significant growth in "key categories", including table sauces, mixers, carbonates, frozen confectionery, and beer and cider.
Brands and own labels both performed strongly, growing at 6.2%. The data revealed that shoppers spent an additional €197m on these ranges compared to last year.
Kantar revealed that own labels have overtaken brands in value share of the market at 47.3%, compared to brands with a 47.1% value share.
Premium own label experienced growth of 15.3% over the 12 weeks, outperforming the total market of 6.9%, and both brands and total own label.
This growth has resulted in a 4.1% value share for premium own label compared to 3.8% last year.
Kantar's data revealed that online sales have risen 9.1% year-on-year, with shoppers spending an additional €17.5 million through the channel.
Shoppers purchased their groceries online more often, with an 8.9% increase, over the latest 12-week period.
Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes holds a 23.6% market share, with sales growth of 8% year-on-year.
Dunnes shoppers returned to store more often, up 5.6% - which contributed a combined €43.9 million to its overall performance.
Meanwhile, Tesco hold 23.3% of the market, with growth value of 7.7% year-on-year. Shoppers increased their trips to store by 4,4%, which contributed €34.1 million to overall performance.
SuperValu holds 20.2% of the market with growth of 5.6%. Kantar revealed that consumers made the most shopping trips to this supermarket, averaging 25 trips over the latest 12 weeks. This increase in the number of shopping trips contributed an additional €51.7 million to its performance.
Lidl holds 14% market share, up 8.5%. Lidl recruited new shoppers in-store, while encouraging consumers to make larger trips, resulting in an additional €13 million in sales.
Aldi holds 11.8% market share, up 6.4%. Increased store trips and new shoppers drove an additional €26.9 million in sales.
The total grocery price inflation figure is based on over 30,000 identical products compared year-on-year in the proportions purchased by Irish shoppers and therefore represents the most authoritative figure currently available.
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