Dunnes Stores ties with Tesco for second spot

Tesco’s position as the country’s second largest supermarket has come under renewed threat after a period of strong growth from Dunnes Stores saw it draw level with the UK retailer.

Dunnes Stores clawed its way up to an equal 21.6% share of the grocery market after increasing sales by 6.3% in the three months to mid-September; Dunnes had a 21.1% share of the market this time last year while Tesco’s share has fallen from 22.9% in the past 12 months.

The Irish retailer’s success in the past quarter has been achieved by convincing shoppers to purchase more expensive items, according to Kantar Worldpanel director David Berry.