Grocery sales here grew by 4.6% in the second three months of the year, according to new data from Kantar.
Dunnes Stores took the largest share of the market during the twelve week period, capturing 22.1% of sales, just 0.1% ahead of rival Tesco.
The overall growth in the market came despite a poor start to the summer in weather terms, with a consequent knock-on effect on goods in hot weather categories.
However, Kantar said that given that last June was one of the hottest in years, the dip is not altogether surprising.
"The first half of June this year has been a different story, with fewer opportunities to sunbathe and socialise outdoors," said Douglas Faughnan, consumer insight director at Kantar.
"This has led to sales of ice cream and sun care products declining dramatically on last year – down 9.2% and 38.0% respectively."
"Drinks sales have also experienced a slowdown. While cider was a particularly popular choice this time last year, its current growth of 0.1% is considerably lower than the 14% experienced last summer."
But despite the weather challenges, Irish retailers benefited from four English teams reaching the finals of major European football competitions.
Fans helped sales of crisps to increase by 2.5%, popcorn by 6.4% and soft drinks by 5.0% in the most recent 12 weeks.
Overall Dunnes has notched up a 7.2% increase in sales compared to the same period in 2018, underpinned by a large rise in spend per buyer.
The average shopped in the Irish owned multiple spent €20 more over the three months than they did in the same quarter a year earlier.
Following Dunnes Stores and Tesco closely was Supervalu which recorded a 1.9% year-on-year increase in sales, grabbing a 21.1% slice of the overall market.
But Aldi and Lidl’s rise also shows no sign of abating, with the retailers registering growth of 13.3% and 5.8% respectively this period, albeit from lower bases.
Grocery market inflation stood at 3.1% for the 12 week period ending.
