Supermarkets Sweeping Up

 » Groceries spend of €235m in 3mths  » Sales still up on levels before Covid

- Cillian O’brien S

Hoppers spent almost €235million more on groceries in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same time last year.

Spending remains almost 20% up on pre-pandemic levels – but there are signs of a sales slowdown.

Figures from market research firm Kantar show receipts dipped 5.5% year-on-year in the four weeks to March 21 2021, as comparisons are made against the record-breaking sales recorded ahead of the first lockdown last year.

Spokeswoman Emer Healy said: “A year on, lockdown is still having an impact on shopping habits and over the past 12 weeks the market continued to grow.