Ireland: Lidl Fastest-Growing Irish retailer as grocery sales rise 5.8%
- DRC Discount Retail Consulting GmbH
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Discount Retail Chain Lidl Ireland emerged as Ireland's fastest growing retailer in the latest 12 weeks, with 10.3% growth compared to the same period last year, according to latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator.
Lidl saw existing shoppers returning to its store more often, while an influx of new shoppers contributed an additional €46.3 million to its overall performance. However, its market share stood at 14.8%, behind Dunnes Stores, Tesco and SuperValu.
Irish Grocery Sales
Take-home grocery sales increased by 5.8% year on year in the four weeks to 9 August 2026, boosted by summer sunshine. Grocery inflation in this period eased again, with like-for-like grocery prices up 3.87%. This figure is down 2.01% versus the same period last year, bringing welcome news for Irish shoppers, Worldpanel noted.
Shoppers made more trips to stores as they stocked up to enjoy the warm weather which continued through July into August. With an average of 23 trips per household, shoppers made 44 million trips to stores over the latest four-week period - or a 4.6% increase year-on-year. Volumes also increased by 4.9%, while shoppers spent €635 per person, on average, over the four weeks.
Irish shoppers made nearly eight online orders on average over the latest 12 weeks, with the channel registering a sales jump of 27.6% in this period. Consumers spent an additional €54.1 million on online shopping as more shoppers opted to get their groceries delivered to their front door. On a category level, Irish spent nearly €197 million on alcoholic beverages, up 5.6% versus last year.
They spent an additional €36.1 million on goods typically associated with warmer weather, including soft drinks, antipasti, ice cream and suncare, Worldpanel noted. Emer Healy, business development director at Worldpanel by Numerator, stated, "This summer's warm weather has clearly put a spring in Irish shoppers' step, with trips, volumes and spend all climbing, which will be positive news for Ireland’s grocers.”
Value remained a priority for Irish shoppers despite an increase in trips and volumes, with spending on promotional lines amounting to €829 million in the latest 12 weeks. Promotions accounted for 22.4% of sales by value, with promotional sales up 13.1% year on year.
Branded goods saw strong performance, growing 12.2% in value and adding €200 million this period, with value share hitting 49.8%. Own private label saw more modest growth at 4.3%, adding €71 million. Premium own label saw value growth of 13.6% as shoppers spent an additional €19 million on the category in this period.
Top Retailers
Dunnes Stores continued to lead the market with a share of 24.1%, with year-on-year sales growth of 8.4%. Shoppers visited the retailer more often, with trips up 2.9% versus last year, along with addition of new shoppers. More frequent trips and new shopper recruitment boosted the retailer’s performance, contributing a combined €53.9 million, Worldpanel noted.
Tesco's market share stood at 23.8%, with year-on-year value growth of 7.9%.
It was also boosted by shoppers returning to stores more often in the latest 12 weeks.
Alongside more frequent trips, new shoppers contributed an additional combined €34.1 million to its overall performance.
SuperValu held a market share of 19.4% in the latest 12 weeks, representing growth of 3.8% year on year. It continued to lead all major retailers on trip frequency, averaging 24.4 visits per person over this period. New shoppers to store contributed an additional €21.7 million to overall performance, data showed.
Aldi's market share stood at 10.9%, with new shopper arrivals alongside more frequent trips driving an additional €1.9 million in sales.
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