GERMAN-OWNED DISCOUNT retailers are increasing their share of the Irish grocery market, according to new figures published yesterday.

The statistics, published by Kantar Worldpanel, show Aldi and Lidl as having upped their share of the grocery market in the last twelve months, though they remain among the smaller supermarket chains.

Aldi increased its market share to 4.5 per cent, a 25 per cent jump on the 3.6 per cent it enjoyed last year, while Lidl has nudged its own share from 5.5 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

Tesco remains by far the largest chain in the country, with its own share of the market estimated at 28.1 per cent this year, up from 27.3 per cent 12 months ago.

Dunnes Stores and SuperValu have cemented their places in second and third place, with both losing a 0.1 per cent share – with Dunnes falling to 23.3 per cent and SuperValu to 20.0 per cent.

Superquinn is the main loser, having seen its market share drop from 6.6 per cent to 5.8 per cent – though the chain’s owners Musgrave said this was due to the closure of outlets in Dundalk and Naas, and that its market share had otherwise increased.

Other outlets, which previously accounted for 13.6 per cent of shopping, now handle 12.6 per cent – a relative drop of 6.9 per cent.

The statistics representing shopping in the twelve weeks leading up to February 19, and are compared against an identical period 52 weeks ago.