An early Easter has boosted growth across the grocery market, with supermarket sales growing by 4.6% over the 12 weeks ending 27 March compared with the same period last year. Sales are also up by 3.6% on the previous month.

SuperValu has retained its spot at the top of the supermarket chain, with a market share of 24.9%. This is up 0.1% on this time last year but down 0.1% down on last month, when it boasted a 25% share of the market.

David Berry, director of Kantar Worldpanel, says shoppers have visited the retailer more often so far this year, with the average number of trips increasing to 22 – up from 20 in 2015.

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Tesco is still the second largest supermarket in Ireland, although its share has dropped by a significant 0.8% year-on-year. It is also down 0.3% on the previous month.

Dunnes Stores is going from strength to strength and is up 0.8% on last year. Berry says that growth for Dunnes Stores continues to be driven by larger shopping trips, with spend per trolley increasing by an impressive €3 year on year.

“The success of the Shop and Save campaign continues, and has proved particularly effective with families,” Berry notes.

Elsewhere, Lidl continues to set the pace with the strongest sales increase in Irish grocery – 9.5%. Lidl is in the strong position of getting more consumers through its doors while also encouraging them to spend more on each visit and return more frequently. Aldi’s sales growth remains healthy, with an increase of 1.5% on last year as shoppers spend more on each visit.