Heatwave contributes to €30m uplift in consumer spending

Consumer spending received a €30 million uplift this summer, as a result of the July heatwave, with barbecue items, ice creams and cider sales all receiving a boost.

Irish shoppers spent an additional €2 million on sausages in the 12 weeks to August 18th, boosting sales by 12 per cent, according to retail research company Kantar Worldpanel.

Cooked meats, bagged salads and bread rolls all saw double digit sales growth, helping overall grocery sales grow by 1.5 per cent, while sales of ice-creams and cider both achieved growth of more than 30 per cent.

However, sales of frozen burgers continue to decline despite the BBQ weather, with shoppers increasingly likely to buy chilled burgers instead.

"The good weather has clearly had a positive effect on the grocery market, with consumers spending more on traditional barbecue and picnic foods," David Berry, commercial director at Kantar Worldpanel, said.

Among the retailers, Aldi and Lidl continued to post impressive growth of 26.6 per cent and 14.8 per cent respectively this summer, capturing a combined record market share of 15.1 per cent.

SuperValu also performed strongly over the summer period, attracting new shoppers through the door, helping boost its market share from 19.5 per cent last year to 19.8 per cent.

“Interestingly, there has been no negative effect for Superquinn following the recent announcement that the stores will be renamed as SuperValu, with sales and market share remaining in line with last year,” Mr Berry said.

Kantar put grocery inflation at 5.5 per cent for the 12-week period ending on August 18th, up from the 4.6 per cent seen in the previous quarter.