€1.4BN GROCE SPEND
Record amount splurged on Christmas food shop
HOUSEHOLDS splurged a record €1.4billion on groceries in the run-up to Christmas.
Shoppers made nearly 42 million trips over the four weeks up until Christmas Eve, it was revealed yesterday.
That figure is 3.4 million higher than last year and the largest recorded at the festive season, according to data firms.
December 22 was the busiest day, with more than two million trips to retail outlets.
The findings were revealed in Irish Grocery Market Share report by data firm Kantar.
A spokesman said: “December 22 turned out to be the most popular shopping day over Christmas.
“Irish shoppers spent €92million in stores, with just over two million trips made on that day alone.
“This means over 36% of households were in a store that day.
“Grocery inflation sat at 7.1% for the 12 weeks to 24 December 2023 – a considerable fall of more than half from the 15.5% rate in last January.
“Retailers worked hard during the festive season to attract shoppers by offering the best value, and promotions were central to their strategy.
“Nearly 29% of all spend in the 12 weeks to December 24 was made on items with some promotional offer. That is the highest level since January 2023 and €117million more than the previous year.
“Consumers also reached for more branded goods to treat themselves, spending an additional €105million compared to Christmas 2022, an increase of 6.1%.
“This resulted in brands attaining their highest value share since January 2023, at 50.7%. “With more hosting taking place over the Christmas period, Irish shoppers spent an additional €10.4million on household and cleaning products and €2.2million more on toiletries.
“Dunnes, Supervalu and Tesco accounted for a combined market share of 69% during the 12 weeks to December 24.”
Kantar’s business development director Emer Healy added: “We’re creatures of habit when it comes to our Christmas feast and our data shows the classic Christmas plate remains much the same.
“However, Brussels sprouts and mince pies bucked the trend; they were less popular with volumes down 2.4% and 9.3% respectively. “Irish shoppers did not lose their sweet tooth altogether, with sales of seasonal biscuits, chilled desserts, and chocolate confectionery up 5.9%, 12.6% and 3.2% respectively – showing that dessert was still on the menu.
“This is the eighth month in a row that there has been a drop in inflation, which will be welcome news for consumers.”