PRICE IS FRIGHT

FAMILIES’ annual food shop costs are now more than €1,000 higher than they were when the same groceries were bought last year.

- SEAN MURPHY

The latest examination of record levels of inflation amid the ongoing cost of living crisis shows that an extra €1,159 has been loaded onto bills.

That is because grocery price inflation hit 16.3% in the 12 weeks to January 23 – the highest level seen since tracking began, according to data firm Kantar.

The company, which monitors grocery market share in Ireland, released new figures yesterday and warned that households face the €1,159 hike if they do not change their behaviour to cut costs.

A Kantar spokesperson said: “Irish Grocery Market Share for February 2 0 2 3 s h o w e d that Irish grocery price inf lation soared to a new record 16.3%.

“Irish households could now face an extra €1,159 on their annual shopping bills.

“ S a l e s o f premium own-label lines reached €152.6million, up €5.7million from last year.

“Online sales remained strong

 

during January, up 5.6% year-on-year. Take-home grocery sales increased by 5% in the four weeks to 23 January