NCA publishes grocery price survey
NCA publishes findings of grocery price comparison carried out between Irish multiples, symbol groups and independent shops
Only 35 cent difference between Tesco and Dunnes Stores for basket of 61 branded goods
- Supervalu providing competition to multiples
- Real competition between Aldi and Lidl; Providing an alternative in value to multiples and Supervalu for own brand products
- Independent butchers, fruit and vegetable shops can provide real value
27 February 2008
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) today published the findings of its survey which compared grocery prices between Ireland's multiples, symbol groups, discounters and independents shops.
The survey compared branded, non-branded and own-brand goods across a wide range of stores throughout the country. The survey is the most comprehensive of its kind ever published in Ireland, with the exception of those published by the CSO.
The range of products surveyed included branded goods taken from the Top 100 Brands list compiled by AC Nielsen for Checkout magazine, the CSO and comparatives with own-brand products; own brand products; loose and pre-packed meats; loose and pre-packed fruit and vegetables. The outlets surveyed were Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, Tesco, Supervalu, Spar, Centra, Eurospar, Aldi and Lidl, independent butchers and independent fruit and vegetable shops.
"The key findings demonstrated by the survey were that there is virtually no price difference between Dunnes Stores and Tesco with only 35c between them for a basket of 61 branded goods. Across all the categories surveyed by the NCA, Dunnes and Tesco are virtually neck to neck in pricing terms," said Ann Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency.
"However, Supervalu is proving to be a real competitor to Dunnes Stores and Tesco. Discounters, Aldi and Lidl are also demonstrating real price competition between each other. They also compete very favourably with Dunnes, Tesco and Supervalu's mid range own brand products.
"The symbol groups, excluding Supervalu, are convenience stores and their prices reflect this but Eurospar, which is seeking to position itself as a full service supermarket, in most cases is more expensive than Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Supervalu."
Comparison between independent retailers and the multiples provided a greater price differential.
"Interestingly, when we compared the pricing between independent butchers and fruit and vegetable retailers prices ranged greatly between independent retailers throughout the country. While the multiples and Supervalu demonstrated only small price differentials between each other, independent retailers were vastly cheaper in some cases and more expensive in others," said Ann Fitzgerald.
The survey carried out comparisons of own-brand goods between Tesco, Dunnes, Aldi, Lidl and Supervalu. Of 32 own-brand products in common between Dunnes Stores and Tesco, there was a price differential of 1.1%.
Findings also showed that there was a 16.8% difference across 48 common own-brand goods between Aldi (€71.45) and Lidl (€61.17). Dunnes Stores, Lidl and Aldi had 28 goods in common with a price difference of 56% between the cheapest (Lidl - €30.68) and Dunnes Stores at €47.85.
Tesco, Aldi and Lidl had 44 goods in common with price differential of 52% between cheapest (Lidl - €57.82) and Tesco which was the dearest (€87.89.)
Of 26 goods in common between Aldi, Lidl and Supervalu stores the price differential between the cheapest, (Lidl - €31.95) and the most expensive Supervalu store (€46.27) was 44.8%.
"As grocery prices go up due to international factors, price and value for money become even more important, and our strong advice to consumers is to split their shopping basket if possible and to seek value in the range of shops available to them. All the outlets surveyed provide a role in our communities.
"The multiples prove most cost effective for branded goods but independent retailers, Aldi and Lidl can offer significant value on meat, fruit and vegetables. Aldi and Lidl are also providing value on own-brand goods, while convenience stores are useful for top up purchases. Consumers can drive competition in the grocery sector by shopping around," she concluded.
Download the full survey data (MS Excel spreadsheet, 437KB)