Irish grocery spending falls as inflation hits near two-year high

Nevertheless, overall grocery sales remain more than 11% higher than two years ago before the pandemic took hold

Consumers are spending less on their supermarket trips as grocery inflation continues to surge. A change in shopping habits has also seen a price-conscious move to own label brands.

The prices of everyday grocery items have hit their highest levels since the early days of the Covid crisis, prompting consumers to spend less on their supermarket shop and alter their buying habits.

Inflation has hit grocery shelves for seven consecutive months now, according to the latest data from retail analysis company Kantar. Grocery price inflation was 2.4% in the 12 weeks to February 20, when compared to the same period a year earlier, Kantar said. That was the highest level since June 2020.