Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 2.8% over the four weeks to 17 May 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator. Pressure on shoppers eased, with like-for-like grocery prices up 5.5%, marking the slowest rate of increase since July 2025.
Shoppers made fewer trips to stores this period, averaging 22.8 visits – one fewer than the previous month. This coincides with the start of summer holiday season, which typically sees shoppers spend more time outdoors making the most of the longer days.
Branded goods were the standout performer, growing 9.4% in value and adding €159 million this period, with value share just under 50%. Own label grew more modestly at 2.7%, adding €46.6 million. Premium ranges also held their own, up 3.4% in value and leading all ranges on pack growth at 6.6%.
Irish shoppers make the most of the May bank holiday
Summer food and drink categories benefited from the bank holiday weekend, with shoppers spending an additional €2.5 million on ice creams and sorbets, table sauces up €700,000 and antipasti growing in value spend on the previous four weeks by €121,000. Sparkling wine and champagne also got a lift in sales on last month, increasing by €408,000.
Commenting on the latest figures, Eimear Faughnan, Head of Retail at Worldpanel by Numerator (Ireland), said: “Irish shoppers stocked up in anticipation of the sun appearing and bought across key summer categories as they got in the mood for the first summer bank holiday. Suncare was a clear signal of that, with purchase frequency up 6.9% on the previous month and an additional 308,000 packs purchased.”
New shoppers and families driving online channel growth
Online sales rose 16.8% year on year, with the channel now contributing almost €253 million to the take-home grocery market over the 12-week period. New shoppers contributed over €25 million to the channel. The highest value growth over the latest 12 weeks came from families with older children turning to the channel to fit around their busy lives, with an increase of €22 million compared to a year ago.
Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes holds 23.8% market share, with sales growth of 4.3% year on year. Dunnes shoppers visited more often, with trips up 2.6% versus last year, contributing an additional €22.3 million to overall performance.
Tesco holds 23.7% of the market, with year-on-year value growth of 6.1%. New shoppers to Tesco stores contributed an additional €12 million to overall performance.
SuperValu holds 19.6% and grew its share by 0.2 percentage points on the previous 12 weeks. It leads all major retailers on trip frequency, averaging 24.5 visits over the latest 12 weeks. New shopper arrivals contributed an additional €18.6 million to performance.
Lidl grew its market share to 14.8%, up 0.4 percentage points versus the last period, reaching a new share record for the retailer over the latest 12 weeks. Value growth for the retailer was 11.7%. Increased volume per trip and new shoppers contributed a combined €47 million.
Aldi grew its share by 0.1 percentage points to 11% market share. New shopper arrivals drove an additional €9.7 million in sales.
