The estimated cost of an average Christmas dinner for a family of four this year has risen by 2% to €34.74, with turkey prices in 2024 helping to drive the increase, according to new research published today (Monday, December 16).
The market research group Kantar said that the price of turkey is just one of the factors behind the overall increase in the cost of the average traditional Christmas dinner this year.
It highlighted that the price of family favourites such as brussels sprouts and mince pies have also risen by more than 10% in price compared to this time last year.
In 2024 consumers will likely pay more for their potatoes, parsnips and carrots than they did in 2023 but less for stuffing, while fans of gravy are also likely to pay less.
Kantar’s latest research suggests that take-home grocery sales in Ireland jumped in value by 5% over the four weeks leading up to December 1, 2024 – reaching €1.24 billion driven by shoppers stocking up early for the festive period.
Meanwhile grocery inflation stood at 3.6% over the 12 weeks to December 1, 2024.
Christmas dinner
According to Emer Healy, business development director at Kantar, latest trends suggest that Irish shoppers have been buying early in relation to festive favourites and well in advance one of the most anticipated dinners of the year.
Healy said: “Last year, we saw a whopping €87 million go through the tills on the December 23, and we’re expecting this again with Monday, December 23 set to be the single busiest day for the supermarkets this year.
“Shoppers spent an additional €4.5 million on assorted biscuits and crackers compared to the previous month, while 15% of all households bought mince pies and more than 36% purchased seasonal chocolates in November.”
Supermarket share
Kantar’s Irish Grocery Market Share report released today also shows that Dunnes holds 24.9% market share, with sales growth of 7.8% year-on-year as shoppers increased their number of trips by 7.9%.
Tesco holds 23.6% of the market, with value growth of 7.6% year-on-year, as shoppers increased their trips to store by 6.7%.
Meanwhile SuperValu holds 19.9% of the market with growth of 3.5%. Consumers made the most shopping trips to this supermarket, averaging 24.4 trips over the latest 12 weeks