Cost of Christmas dinner to rise by 3.2%

Gradual decline in inflation rates to continue over the coming months

The cost of a Christmas dinner for four has risen by 3.2%

Grocery price inflation has fallen to its lowest level since August 2022 but still recorded a significant increase with the cost of a Christmas dinner for four to jump by more than 3% new figures show.

Data from Kantar shows take-home grocery sales increased by 7.2% in the four weeks to November 26, a drop of 1.2 percentage points compared to the previous month and the seventh consecutive drop in monthly inflation.

With inflation remaining at elevated levels, Kantar said it expects grocery sales to surpass €1.4bn for the first time in December with Saturday, December 23 set to be the busiest day in store this year after €96m in value sales was recorded on December 23rd last year.

"We expect to see this gradual decline in inflation rates continue over the coming months,” according to Kantar’s Emer Healy.

"The Irish grocery landscape is as competitive as ever. To give you an idea of just how fierce the competition is this year, the cost of a Christmas dinner for four has risen by 3.2%, well below the overall average growth in price per pack, with some festive items even falling in price."

The jump in costs comes as the price of Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding are down, 0.6% and 22% respectively, compared to last year.

Kantar said shoppers visited stores more often in November, making an average of 21.3 trips over the month, which is up 4.4%. However, volumes per trip continue to decline versus last year, down 4.4%.