Dunnes Stores is Ireland’s top supermarket for a second month in a row.

The latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel show sales at Dunnes were up 4.6% and the grocer grew its market share to 22.9% in the 12 weeks ending 26 February.

Dunnes shoppers are also buying more, with the average basket having an extra one and a half items, David Berry director at Kantar Worldpanel said.

“The grocer’s “shop & save” initiative is continuing to influence customers, with the average basket featuring an extra one and a half items – an additional €3 per trip and €25 million for the retailer in the past 12 weeks.”

Closely following in second place is SuperValu, which also had increased sales by 0.5% as the average customer spent over €1 more per trip. This amounted to an extra €3m for the retailer.

Supervalu have plans to open three new stores and refurbish a host of others and Berry said the supermarket will be expecting to experience a boost in sales later in the year.

Sales down in Tesco

Meanwhile, the tills were ringing less at Tesco with sales falling by 1% after eleven days of strike across eight stores.

The retailer’s market share declined by 0.9% to 21.7%.

Kantar said during the 12 week period, Aldi got an extra 20,000 customers through its doors, with sales up by 5.3%.

Lidl had a 4.1% uplift in sales, enabling the retailer to increase its share of the market to 10.6%.

Read more

Mushroom sales soar due to lack of other vegetables

20 minutes with Sheila Gallagher, Tesco Ireland