Grocery trips and volumes spike as shoppers gear up for school

Take-home grocery sales in Ireland increased by 5.5% over the four weeks to September 6, 2026, compared to the same period last year.

This is according to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator .

Grocery inflation also 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.

Uptick

Emer Healy, business development director at Worldpanel by Numerator, said: “Irish shoppers made 44.6 million trips in the four weeks to September 3 – 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%.”

Healy said that shoppers kept an eye on value throughout the summer, with promotional sales now accounting for nearly a quarter of spend, up 8.5%.

She added: “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 vs. own label

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 these items.

Supermarkets

Over the 12 weeks to September 3, Dunnes held 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 previous 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.

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