There has been a call for greater competition among the main supermarket multiples, after a survey of grocery items has revealed little difference in price between Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Superquinn.
The survey has shown symbol groups such as Spar and Centra charge an average of 10% more for goods.
The research was undertaken by the National Consumer Agency of 59 branded products from the top 100 brands.
The national consumer agency said it was a worry that there was only a 1.6% difference between prices at Tesco, Dunnes and Superquiunn.
The agency says that points to the fact the market is too concentrated.
Centra was 10.8% more expensive and prices at Spar were 20.2% higher. Eurospar was 7% more expensive.
Convenience groups argue consumers are paying for local stores which remain open late.
Aldi and Lidl were excluded from the survey because they sell few branded items.
