Irish grocery sales up 5.8% as shoppers stock up on back-to-school staples

Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 5.5% over the four weeks to 6 September 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator. Grocery inflation rose this month, with like-for-like grocery price up 4.28% from last month’s 3.87%. This figure is up 0.41% versus the same period last year.

The end of August’s warm weather continued into the back-to-school season, as Irish shoppers geared up for the return to routine. That preparation drove more frequent shopping trips, up 2.4% year on year, and increased volume on these trips, up 1.8%, as they stocked up for the new term.

Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Worldpanel by Numerator, said: “Irish shoppers made 44.6 million trips in the four weeks to 3 September, 1.65 million more than last month, as this summer’s warm weather and back-to-school routines clearly put a spring in their step. With trips, volumes and spend all climbing, it’s positive news for Ireland’s grocers.”

Despite the uptick in trips and volumes, value remains front of mind for Irish shoppers, who spent €820 million on promotional lines over the latest 12 weeks, giving promotions value share of nearly 20.7%. Emer Healy continued: “Shoppers have kept a keen eye on value throughout the summer, with promotional sales now accounting for nearly a quarter of spend, up 8.5%. It’s clear that even amid the good weather and busier trolleys, Irish shoppers haven’t lost sight of getting the best deal for their money.”

Brands outpace own label as e-commerce accelerates

Branded goods had a strong period, growing 13% in value and adding €216 million as shoppers stocked up on back-to-school staples with biscuits, savoury snacks, breakfast bars, sliced cooked meats and yoghurts all seeing a lift. This marked an extra €38 million spent on those categories alone versus last year. Value share for brands now stands at 50.4%.

Own label grew more modestly at 3.6%, adding €60 million. Premium own label ranges held their own, up 11.2% in value, with shoppers spending an additional €15.6 million on retailers’ premium own ranges.

Online proved to be another beneficiary of the return to routine. More shoppers opted to get their shopping delivered to their front door, with the channel up 3.8% versus this time last year. Irish shoppers made nearly eight online orders per household [EC3] [EH4] on average over the 12 weeks, an increase of 7.8% on the same period last year. This led to online sales jumping by 24.1% over the latest 12 weeks and shoppers spending an additional €48.9 million compared to the same period last year.

Lidl maintains highest growth over latest 12 weeks

Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes holds 24.3% market share, with year-on-year sales growth of 8.2%. Dunnes shoppers visited more often, with trips up 5.6% versus last year, while the grocer also welcomed new shoppers to store. More frequent trips and new shopper recruits boosted the retailer’s performance, contributing a combined €54.3 million.

Tesco holds 24.1% of the market, with year-on-year value growth of 7.8%. Tesco saw a boost of shoppers returning to store more often in the latest 12 weeks, up 2.5%. Alongside more frequent trips, new shoppers to Tesco stores contributed an additional combined €28.4 million to overall performance.

SuperValu holds 19.2% share and grew this by 4% on the previous 12 weeks. It leads all major retailers on trip frequency, averaging 23.1 visits per person over the latest 12 weeks. Larger trips alongside welcoming new shoppers to store contributed an additional combined €42.9 million to overall performance.

Lidl market share stands at 14.7%, up 9.6% versus last year, meaning the discount retailer has seen the highest growth over the latest 12 weeks. Lidl saw existing shoppers return to store more often, as well as an influx of new shoppers who picked up more packs per trip. This contributed an additional combined €44 million to overall performance.

Aldi holds 10.8% market share. New shopper arrivals alongside more frequent trips drove an additional €4.6 million in sales.

An update on inflation

Grocery price inflation stands at 4.28% compared to the same 12-week period last year.

*This 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. It is a ‘pure’ inflation measure in that shopping behaviour is held constant between the two comparison periods – shoppers are likely to achieve a lower personal inflation rate if they trade down or seek out more offers.