Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.
Supermarkets

Business booming for Aldi and Lidl as discounters show growth at expense of Tesco

The German discount chains have been gaining ground in the last 12 months, as shoppers continue to keep a close watch on their grocery spend.

BOTH ALDI AND Lidl have posted impressive growth over the past year, with the German discounters both gaining ground in the grocery sector. Tesco, which remains the largest player in terms of consumer spend, has shown a decline over the same 12 month period.

Latest figures from consumer monitoring firm Kantar Worldpanel show that Aldi grew its share of the ‘multiples’ grocery market by 18.7 per cent in the 12-months leading up to the start of December this year. Lidl grew by 8.4 per cent — while Tesco, by contrast, saw its market share decrease by 6.4 per cent.

Overall, however, Tesco still has the edge on its competitors in terms of size, at 26.1 per cent — followed by Dunnes (24.2 per cent) and Supervalu (19.5 per cent). Aldi’s share is 7.4 per cent, while Lidl are at 6.7 per cent; Superquinn have seen a slight drop in their share of the consumer take-home spend in the last 12 months, moving from 5.3 per cent to 5.1 per cent.

According to David Berry, Kantar Worldpanel’s commercial director: “Value continues to be an attractive proposition for shoppers”.

Despite the Central Statistics Office recently announcing that the economy grew by 1.5 per cent between July and September, the average household spend on grocery items has fallen by 0.2 per cent compared with last year.

This is considerably below the 3.4 per cent price inflation as shoppers look to control their spend by reducing the amount of goods they buy.

“The savvy approach to shopping is continuing to work in the favour of the German discounters,” Berry added. “Both retailers are in a strong position as we head into the all-important Christmas weeks.”

Multiples accounted for 88.9 per cent of the total ‘take-home’ grocery market, according to Kantar’s data.

Read: Aldi to create 300 jobs around the country

Read: Tesco leaves US as profits drop by 51 per cent

Your Voice
Readers Comments
132
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.