Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 6.3% over the four weeks to 12 July 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to our latest data. Pressure on shoppers eased last month, with like-for-like grocery prices up 4.16% - the slowest rate of increase since February 2025.
July brought a wave of warm weather alongside major sporting events, prompting Irish shoppers to stock up and celebrate at home. Shoppers made 44 million trips to stores last month, up 3.6% compared to the same period last year and equating to an average of 23 trips per household. Volumes were also up, rising by 2.5%.
Shoppers trade up as grocery inflation eases
Branded goods performed strongly last month, growing by 10.6% in value and adding €173 million this period, with value share hitting 49%. Own label grew more modestly at 3.4%, adding €58 million, while premium ranges also held their own, up 9.8% in value and leading all ranges on pack growth at 15%.
Irish shoppers made the most of the hot spell and big sporting occasions, while an easing in grocery price inflation, now increasing at the slowest rate since February 2025, was another cause for celebration. Shoppers clearly felt like they had a little more room to trade up, which explains why branded goods and premium ranges both grew faster than own label this period.
Irish shoppers continued to hunt for value, reflected by sales on promotion accounting for 23.4% of value share over the latest 12-week period and rising by 14.2% year on year. At-home snacking prompted increased sales on promotion across categories including antipasti (+24%), crisps (+27%), chilled ready meals (+29%) and energy drinks (+43%).
Online grocery orders soar alongside the temperature
Online also benefited from the rays, as shoppers opted to have their groceries delivered to their doors.
Online sales rose by 23.2% year on year, with shoppers spending an additional €15.8 million, while frequency was at the highest level recorded, with shoppers making on average four trips over the month.
Over the month of July, categories benefitting from the warm weather performed well, with sales up across savoury snacks (+16.6%), alcohol (+11.5%), soft drinks (+8.7%) and prepared fruit (+4.2%). Shoppers also spent an additional €3.7 million on deodorant and suncare over the period as they battled the heat.
Over the latest 12 weeks, Dunnes holds 23.7% market share, with sales growth of 6.5% year on year.
Dunnes shoppers visited more often than other retailers and total trips were up 1.2%, contributing an additional €10.1 million to overall performance.
Tesco holds 23.5% of the market, with year-on-year value growth of 6.4%. It received a boost from shoppers returning to store more often over the latest 12 weeks (+0.3%), which combined with new shoppers to Tesco stores contributed an additional €21.3 million to overall performance.
SuperValu holds 19.6% and grew its share by 1.9 % on the previous 12 weeks. It leads all major retailers on trip frequency, averaging 25.9 visits over the latest 12 weeks, contributing an additional €11.7 million to overall performance.
Lidl grew its market share to 15%. This is up 10.8% year on year and marks a new share record for the retailer. Existing shoppers returning to stores more often and picking up more items while in store, alongside an influx of new shoppers, contributed an additional €43.2 million to overall performance. Aldi holds 11.1% market share.
Aldi welcomed new shoppers in store which boosted growth and contributed an additional €2.8 million to overall performance.
Emer Healy
Business Development Director at Worldpanel by Numerator
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