Discount retailer Aldi has increased its sales and market share in Ireland in the last three months, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel.

Figures published today (4 March) show the retailer saw sales increase 29% for the 12 weeks ending 17 February. Its market share reached 5.9%, up from last year’s 4.6%.

“What is notable from Aldi’s performance is that it has grown sales of fruit and vegetables – the most valuable grocery category – by 39% this year,” said Kantar commercial director David Berry.

Among the big three supermarkets in Ireland, Dunnes was the only grocer to increase its share of the market, to 24% from 23.2% last year. Its sales were up 4.1% as the retailer benefited from bigger shopping baskets.

Tesco’s performance has improved slightly since January but still remains behind the Irish market, Kantar said. The UK retailer, the largest in Ireland, saw its market share eroded for the second successive period to 27.7% from 28.1%.

The figures also revealed the impact of the first five weeks of the horsemeat scandal on sales in Ireland.

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Berry says the issue has so far only affected what consumers put in their baskets rather than where they do their shopping, with frozen burger sales were down by 42% in the three months.

Meanwhile, grocery inflation stood at 5.8% in Ireland, the highest since the 6.2% seen in September 2008.

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