Irish grocery market returns to growth

THE Irish grocery market has returned to growth, with short-term sales ahead compared to this period last year, according to new consumer market analysis from Bord Bia.

The latest quarter shows market value growth picking up and now at +1.1% relative to a year earlier for the period ending April 2011, according to a study conducted by Kantar Worldpanel data.

Bord Bia marketing expert Gillian Swaine notes: “Price inflation continues to bring increased value into the market. However, while shoppers are visiting retailers as often this year, they are cutting back on the amount spent per visit.