You and Your Money, September 2007

A recent survey of grocery prices nationwide by the National Consumer Agency found only a €2.20 difference in the cost of a basket of 58 of the most popular items bought in Irish supermarkets. The outlets surveyed were Dunnes, Tesco, Spar, Eurospar, Centra, Supervalu and Superquinn.

On one level, the survey was comprehensive - but if failed to include Aldi and Lidl, two chains offering value to shoppers. Consumer website valueireland.com was quick off the mark, point out the absence of the two German chains from the survey. It did the shopping the NCA didn't do: it compared 43 items, with interesting results.

For a weekly shop of almost exact matches (albeit with less well-known brands available in Aldi and Lidl) the survey showed Irish consumers can save €30 by shopping in the German stores - a difference of nearly 25%. Tesco was the most expensive (€121) while Aldi and Lidl totals were €88.98 and €88.68 respectively.

© 2007 You And Your Money