Shoppers in Thurles are noticing striking price differences between local supermarkets, underlining the continued strain of rising grocery costs across Tipperary.
A check in Thurles this week showed that an 18-can slab of 7UP Zero cost €8.99 in Aldi, €10.00 in Dunnes Stores, and €11.99 in Lidl; a €3 difference between two main German international discount chains operating in Ireland.
While small on paper, the gap highlights how uneven supermarket pricing has become during Ireland’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Prices remain high.
Nationally, grocery inflation stands at 6.3%, with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) estimating that food prices have climbed by roughly 27% since 2021. Even as energy bills ease, household shopping remains costly. Shoppers say they are now comparing prices item by item, with differences between stores adding up quickly.
Surveys show major contrasts.
A recent Checkout.ie study found big variations in the cost of a standard grocery basket. Prices came to €150 at Lidl, €207 at Dunnes Stores (or €172 after vouchers), €195 at Tesco (or €185 with Clubcard), and €209 at SuperValu.
An Irish Independent comparison of branded goods found a smaller basket costing €34.51 at Aldi, versus €49.24 at Dunnes and €49.88 at Tesco, a price gap of more than 40% on identical everyday items.
Different models, different prices.
Aldi and Lidl run leaner operations with smaller product ranges and lower margins, helping them hold prices down.
Local costs and Ireland’s new deposit-return scheme can also affect prices; for example, some 18-can packs now include a €2.70 refundable deposit, which does not appear on shelf labels.
Impact on local households.
For families in Thurles, a few euro saved on a single product can mean €20 to €25 per week, or over €1,000 a year.
With grocery prices still rising faster than inflation overall, more shoppers are switching stores, choosing own-brand goods and tracking weekly promotions.
The example from Thurles shows that even between discount retailers, prices now vary widely, making careful comparison a key part of every household shop.
IT IS ALL MONEY NOW