More competition in supermarkets - survey
Wednesday, 11 February 2009 21:09
There is now increased competition between the main supermarkets on branded goods, according to the latest survey by the National Consumer Agency.
When comparing a basket of branded goods between Dunnes Stores, Superquinn and Tesco, the difference between the cheapest and dearest basket was €3.60 or 1.2%.
The survey found that the price gap between Aldi and Lidl has also narrowed.
The Agency also said that price is now the biggest factor for householders rather than convenience.
On an overall basket of 22 own-brand items, the survey found Lidl the cheapest and SuperValu the dearest.
SuperValu says it's dropped its prices by 7%, despite rising food costs.
Among the items with the biggest price difference was Pampers Nappies 38 pack (Midi 3) that were €7.98 in Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Superquinn and SuperValu compared to €11.99 in Spar in North Dublin.
The survey also showed a small increase in the price of groceries, but Chief Executive Ann Fitzgerald said she expected to see the cost dropping with inflation in the coming months.
She also said she fully understood shoppers who go north but she added that she hoped retailers would give consumers here a fair deal which would encourage them to shop locally.
The survey was carried out on 8 and 9 January and covered branded and own-brand products.
