DUBLIN: The latest figures from analysts Kantar points out that the closure of pubs, restaurants and cafes, along with working from home, has resulted in an increase in grocery sales.
Figures show that Irish shoppers have spent an extra €2 billion on take-home groceries since the beginning of the Pandemic. According to a retail analyst at Kantar, the average household grocery bill has increased by €1,000 this year.
“All those extra meals and snacks at home have led to an extra €2bn spent on take-home groceries, including Irish shoppers splashing out €7.6m on tea and €19.5m on instant coffee to get their fix at home. Totting it all up, the average household grocery bill has increased by €1,000 this year,” said Emer Healy, retail analyst.
Take-home grocery sales have increased by 17.7% in the last four weeks. This is the highest level since November 2020.
Kantar says there has been a significant increase in online grocery sales in the last month. February accounted for 6.3% of all sales.
Ms. Healy states this sharp increase in grocery sales is due to the closure of restaurants, work from home and homeschooling.
Meanwhile, the survey found that working from home and maintaining social distance reduces the demand for medicines for colds and flu. Over the last three months, sales of cold remedies declined by 55%, cough liquids by 60% and lozenges by 42%.
In the last three months, Irish shoppers have spent an extra €3.2 million on boxed chocolates. Sales of flour, eggs and syrup increased by 56%, 21% and 14% respectively.
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