Coca-Cola tops 100 best-selling brands in Ireland

COCA-COLA is still the top selling brand in Ireland despite shoppers becoming more health conscious.

But Avonmore has knocked Lucozade from the number two spot in the annual list of Irish top 100 selling brands.

The list, based on sales through grocery outlets in Ireland, shows Brennans, Tayto and Cadbury Dairy Milk are also among the top ten sellers.

New entrants to this year’s top 100 include Flahavans porridge and McCambridge bread while Cork milk brand CMP re-enters the list.

Also, in a move reflecting increased health-focused trends, Benecol debuts in the list this year.

Editor of Checkout magazine John Ruddy said the grocery market had gone through significant changes since 2005 with more shoppers opting for own-brand products.

“In 2005, private label or own-brand had a 9% share of the market – this has now risen to 19%. Furthermore, brands produced in Ireland now face much greater competition from cheaper imports; while shoppers are reducing spend on grocery items.

“The challenge for brand owners is to continue their investment in innovation and new product development, while also competing on price with lower-priced imports or private label goods.”

Mr Ruddy said the main movers in the top 100 list are brands that “embrace innovation and can move with the times”.

“A strong brand is one which uses its personality to engage the consumer, creating feelings such as trust, nostalgia and heritage, while also continuously innovating to react to consumers’ needs.

“This emotional engagement is something that private-label cannot attain and in an increasingly competitive market, it is essential that brands continue to invest and engage with shoppers to preserve that link,” he added.

In the alcohol section, Budweiser held the number one spot while Smirnoff, Heineken, Bulmers and Guinness completed the top five.

The top selling wine in Ireland was Wolf Blass, with Smirnoff the top selling spirit.

In the tobacco category, Silk Cut, Benson & Hedges, John Player, Marlboro and Superkings were the top five.