This means the rate of grocery price inflation has reached its highest level since August 2008, despite a 3.1% fall in grocery spending by consumers.

The latest grocery market figures from Kantar also show that many consumers are turning to cheaper, own-brand items in an attempt to reduce the impact of inflation.

The insight company said that sales of own brand products grew by 1.5% in the 12 weeks to July 10th, representing a €19m increase in spending year-on-year.

Kantar’s research also revealed that sales of value-focused own brand products had risen by 9.7%, leading to a fall in the sale of branded products, with that category down €72m year-on-year.

Branded goods now represent 47.6% of all grocery spend, according to Kantar, compared to 49.6% in 2020.

Own brand products also proved particularly popular with online shoppers, an area that also enjoyed growth in the period. According to Kantar, online grocery sales were up 15% in the 12 weeks to mid-July.

The changes in grocery habits did result in a further tightening of market share in the period.

Kantar’s data shows that Tesco remains the biggest grocery brand by sales, with a 22% share of the market.

However Dunnes is close behind with a 21.9% share, while Supervalu holds a 21.5% stake.

Lidl, meanwhile grew its share of the market to 13.5%, while Aldi had a 12.6% share in the period.