Dunnes Stores is now Ireland's biggest grocery retailer - for the first time in more than a decade

Dunnes’ Margaret Heffernan

Dunnes Stores is now Ireland’s biggest grocery retailer, dramatically snatching the title from SuperValu, according to new data published this morning.

It’s the first time in at least a decade that Dunnes Stores – which is headed by siblings Margaret Heffernan and Frank Dunne – has led the multi-billion euro market.

Figures from research group Kantar Worldpanel show that Dunnes Stores had a 22.6pc share of the market during the 12 weeks ended November 6. It pushed SuperValu, the chain controlled by Cork-based retail group Musgrave, into second place, with a 22.4pc share.

Dunnes’ re-emergence as the country’s top grocery retailer has come at significant expense. The chain has spent tens of millions of euros on its ‘Shop and Save’ campaign which gives customers €10 off for every €50 they spend.

“Growth across a wide range of categories has contributed to the retailer’s overall sales increase of 6.7pc year-on-year, with toiletries, alcohol, frozen food and confectionery performing particularly well,” according to Kantar Worldpanel director David Berry.

Dunnes Stores has been buying food and beverage suppliers, including Café Sol and Whelan Food and Meat Processors, to create more upmarket offerings for customers.

Tesco, which was Ireland’s biggest grocery retailer for years before relinquishing the title to SuperValu in 2015, is now the third-biggest grocery retailer here, with a 21.4pc share.

Online Editors