Latest news with #EmerHealy
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cost of groceries at ‘tipping point' as prices rise at double the rate of inflation
Grocery prices were up 4.96pc by May 18th, compared to the same 12-week period last year, according to Kantar's data. That's well over double the general rate of inflation – which the Central Statistics Office puts at 1.4pc in the year to the end of May. Grocery prices are also rising twice as fast as they were in the same period last year, Kantar said. Rapidly rising food prices have caught many shoppers off guard this year, including dairy in particular. Earlier CSO data in May showed the price of a pound of butter had risen by close to €1 over the past year to an average of €4.69, a surge of more than 26pc. The Kantar data confirms the high price of groceries is forcing shoppers to change their habits, including a more intensive hunt for bargains and discounts. Shoppers spent an additional €124m on promotional lines over the last 12 weeks compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar, which recorded the highest share of packs on promotion since May 2021. 'Rising prices are influencing both sales performance and consumer behaviour,' according to Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Kantar. 'Although households have been adjusting their spending for some time now, what we're seeing is a clear 'tipping point' when inflation goes above 3pc to 4pc. This is when shoppers really start to feel it in their wallets, and they change their behaviour. 'As a result, supermarkets are having to be more creative in the way they attract shoppers in-store and online – offering quality products at the right price.' Branded (47.4pc) and own label (47.1pc) products now make up almost identical market share. Premium own label continues to grow faster than the market as a whole. The latest Kantar data shows Dunnes Stores held the top spot as Ireland's busiest grocery chain in May, with a 2.38pc market share. That put it ahead of Tesco (23.3pc) and Supervalu (20.3pc) and well ahead of Lidl (13.8pc) and Aldi (11.7pc). Ireland, figures from the CSO last week showed prices, measured using the EU Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) had risen 1.4pc in the 12 months to May 2025, although food prices are up 4.1pc in the last 12 months. The Irish figures show energy prices are estimated to have fallen by 1.3pc in the month and decreased by 2.6pc over the 12 months to May 2025, with knock on effects across a range of sectors and as well as for households.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Shoppers spend €14m more on summer fare
New figures show that shoppers spent an additional €14m on typical summer fare, including sausages, coleslaw, antipasti, non-alcoholic drinks, mixers, pickles, beer and cider and ice cream, in the four weeks to May 18. The latest figures from Kantar also show that consumers spent additional €50,000 on suncare compared to this time last year. Kantar said that warmer weather, longer days and time spent outdoors is driving consumer spending this month as take-home value sales in Ireland over the four week period increased by 6.6% compared to the same time last year. Shoppers were in-store an average of 22.3 times in May, contributing an additional €17m to the market's overall performance. Today's Kantar figures also show that grocery price inflation stands at 4.96%. Grocery inflation has increased 2.4 percentage points since the same time last year. Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Kantar, said rising prices are influencing both sales performance and consumer behaviour. "Although households have been adjusting their spending for some time now, what we're seeing is a clear 'tipping point; when inflation goes above 3% to 4%. This is when shoppers really start to feel it in their wallets, and they change their behaviour," she said. "As a result, supermarkets are having to be more creative in the way they attract shoppers in-store and online - offering quality products at the right price," she added. Shoppers spent an additional €124m on promotional lines over the last 12 weeks compared to the same time last year, according to Kantar, which recorded the highest share of packs on promotion over 22% - the highest level since May 2021. While the total promotional market grew by 17.6%, key categories including table sauces, skin care, deodorant, soft drinks, frozen confectionery and chocolate all grew ahead of this with double digit growth. Kantar said that despite the added pressure on household budgets, Irish shoppers continue to prioritise quality. This is evident with both brands and own label performing strongly - up 5.6% and 5.2% respectively - with shoppers spending an additional €174m on these ranges compared to last year. Brands still hold a higher value share of the total market at 47.4%, compared to own label with 47.1% value share, Kantar noted. Today's figures show that Dunnes holds a 23.8% market share, with sales growth of 7.2% year-on-year. Dunnes shoppers picked up more volume per trip, up 0.7% alongside making more frequent trips, up 1.8%, which contributed a combined €20.2m to their overall performance. Tesco holds 23.3% of the market, with value growth of 7.1% year-on-year. Shoppers increased their trips to store by 5.3%, which contributed €41.3m to its overall performance. Meanwhile, SuperValu holds 20.3% of the market with growth of 5.4%. Consumers made the most shopping trips to this grocer, averaging 24.9 trips over the latest 12 weeks, which help to contribute an additional €38.9m to its performance. Lidl holds a 13.8% market share, an increase of 6.3% as larger trips drove an additional €12.9m in sales. And Aldi holds a 11.7% market share, up 6.8%. Increased trips to store and new shoppers drove an additional €24.2m in sales, Kantar said.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Grocery prices jump 5% as inflation surges
Grocery prices increased almost 5% in the past year with the rate of inflation rising by 2.4 percentage points to 4.96%. Latest data from Kantar shows Irish shoppers spent an extra €73m on groceries in May, with the warmer weather, longer days and time spent outdoors driving consumer spending. 'Rising prices are influencing both sales performance and consumer behaviour,' according to Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Kantar. 'Although households have been adjusting their spending for some time now, what we're seeing is a clear 'tipping point' when inflation goes above 3% to 4%. This is when shoppers really start to feel it in their wallets, and they change their behaviour." 'As a result, supermarkets are having to be more creative in the way they attract shoppers in-store and online – offering quality products at the right price.' Kantar said shoppers spent an additional €124m on promotional lines over the last 12 weeks compared to the same period last year. While the total promotional market grew by 17.6%, key categories including table sauces, skin care, deodorant, soft drinks, frozen confectionery and chocolate all grew ahead of this with double-digit growth. However, branded products still hold a higher value share of the total market at 47.4%, compared to own label with 47.1%. Premium own label currently holds 4.1% value share of the total market compared to 3.9% last year. Kantar said that during May, shoppers were in-store an average of 22.3 times, contributing an additional €17m to the market's overall performance. Their analysis clearly shows the impact of the recent good weather. 'Shoppers spent an additional €14m on typical summer fare, including sausages, coleslaw, antipasti, potato salad, non-alcoholic drinks, fabs & mixers, pickles, beer & cider and ice cream," Ms Healy said. "With shoppers taking full advantage of the sunshine, we saw an additional €50,000 spent on suncare compared to this time last year.' Online now accounts for 6% of supermarket sales, with shoppers spending an additional €15.9m through this channel. Dunnes Stores maintains its top position with the largest market share, followed by Tesco, Supervalu, Lidl and Aldi.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Rate of grocery price growth more than doubled in past year, Kantar says
The rate at which grocery prices are climbing has more than doubled over the last 12 months, according to the latest data from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel . Grocery price inflation currently stands at 4.96 per cent compared to the same 12-week period last year with the annualised rate of inflation increasing by 2.4 percentage points since this ime last year. At the start of last summer, there was some hope that grocery prices had stabilised with inflation a long way down from a high of almost 17 per cent recorded when the cost of living crisis was at its most severe in mid 2023. Kantar's figures suggest that the financial pain of higher price groceries is still being felt by many, however. READ MORE Spread over the course of a year, price inflation of 5 per cent will add close to €400 on to a typical household's grocery spend. 'Rising prices are influencing both sales performance and consumer behaviour,' according to Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Kantar. 'Although households have been adjusting their spending for some time now, what we're seeing is a clear 'tipping point' when inflation goes above 3 per cent to 4 per cent. This is when shoppers really start to feel it in their wallets, and they change their behaviour. 'As a result, supermarkets are having to be more creative in the way they attract shoppers in-store and online – offering quality products at the right price.' Shoppers spent an additional €124 million on promotional lines over the last 12 weeks compared to the same period last year, according to Kantar. The data also suggests that the total promotional market grew by 17.6 per cent with, key categories including table sauces, skin care, deodorant, soft drinks, frozen confectionery and chocolate all grew ahead of the average. Despite the added pressure on household budgets, Irish shoppers continue to support brand names which still hold a higher value share of the total market at 47.4 per cent compared to own label with 47.1 per cent value share. With growth of 12.6 per cent over the 12 weeks, premium own label continues to grow faster than the market as a whole with premium own labels holding a 4.1 per cent value share of the total market compared to 3.9 per cent last year. 'Irish shoppers enjoyed a warm and sunny start to May,' noted Ms Healy. 'With many firing up the BBQ and dining alfresco for the first time this year, shoppers spent an additional €14 million on typical summer fare [and] with shoppers taking full advantage of the sunshine, we saw an additional €50,000 spent on suncare compared to this time last year.' In terms of market share, Dunnes holds 23.8 per cent with sales growth of 7.2 per cent year-on-year while Tesco is on 23.3 per cent with value growth of 7.1 per cent. SuperValu is still underperforming – relatively speaking – with a market share of 20.3 per cent of the market with growth of 5.4 per cent. Lidl is on 13.8 per cent up 6.3 per cent while Aldi is on 11.7 per cent up 6.8 per cent.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Grocery inflation on the rise, with higher prices influencing consumer decisions
Grocery inflation in the 12 weeks to April 20 was running at 4.91pc, according to a report by research group Kantar, which keeps a constant track of prices. The pace of grocery inflation was around half that level in early 2024. Kantar's inflation calculation is based on comparing the prices of 30,000 Irish grocery items 12 months apart. The new numbers suggest prices are rising faster than Central Statistics Office (CSO) data has captured. The CSO's latest inflation data suggested food prices rose 3.1pc in the last 12 months. Business development director at Kantar Emer Healy said Irish shoppers are seeking out value but continue to spend on special occasions despite the price rise. 'Price influences decisions, but it's clear that Irish shoppers still cherish quality, particularly when it comes to special occasions,' Ms Healy said. 'Despite average prices continuing to rise, it's clear that Irish consumers are still treating themselves. Retailers have benefitted from special occasions including St Patrick's Day, Pancake Tuesday, the May bank holiday and Easter falling late this year.' The report noted that shoppers were in stores 23 times on average, contributing an additional €9.7m to the market's overall performance. Retailers saw sales in the four weeks increase by 8.4pc with a 15.4pc increase in promotional sales. 'This is evident with both branded and premium own-label products growing faster than the market as a whole,' Ms Healy said. 'Ultimately, retailers need to demonstrate clear value to customers, but it's a tricky balance especially as they are trying to manage their own rising business costs.' April saw alcohol sales increase by 8.7pc year-on-year – shoppers spent €8m on beer and cider. An additional €1.1m was spent on barbecue food items like sausages, antipasti, coleslaw and potato salad. In this period, online grocery sales were up by 10pc, amounting to €22.8m to the overall market performance. Dunnes held 24.1pc of the market share with its sales growing by 6.5pc year-on-year. Tesco holds 23.4pc and SuperValu holds 20.3pc. Lidl holds 13.5pc of the market, while Aldi holds 11.5pc.
