Sales of hand sanitiser in Ireland have increased by 75 per cent in comparison with the same time last year, the latest Nielsen four week data ending February 23 indicates. The significant rise in sales is attributed to increased panic buying, amid health fears around the worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease Covid-19 public health emergency.
The Irish grocery market has experienced a buoyant year to date and in the latest four weeks, retail sales are up four per cent on last year. However, for the same period, Nielsen data also reveals that many categories are already showing growth above this average, even though the presence of Covid-19 was not confirmed in Ireland until March 1.
Nielsen data shows that sales of disinfectant sprays and wipes are up 24 per cent on the same period last year, whilst sales of soap and antiseptics are up six per cent on the previous month. It looks as though health-conscious Irish consumers may also be stocking up on more vitamins and supplements, which are up five per cent. As well as the obvious health and hygiene products, Irish shoppers are spending more on cupboard staples.
The staples include take-home juice (17 per cent), canned fruit (11 per cent), home-baking ingredients (10 per cent), pouch soup (13 per cent), cooking oils and condiment sauces (six per cent) and breakfast cereal (six per cent). Overall, ambient grocery food sales, shelf-stable food, is up six per cent compared to the same time last year.
It includes pasta, rice and sauces (up by five per cent), jams and spreads (five per cent) and canned vegetables, which are up seven per cent on last year, rising to 11 per cent compared with January 2020. Packaged bread sales are also up by seven points in comparison to last year – likely because consumers are able to store bread in the freezer for later use.
However, there currently remains no significant uplift in frozen food. Moreover, take-home water sales remain surprisingly flat in comparison to last year. Sales in beers, wines and spirits are also not showing any major uplift in sales – a contrast to the significant increase following the ‘Beast from the East’ cold spell which hit Ireland two years ago.
Nielsen’s Karen Mooney also said reusable shopping bags have also increased by 26 per cent in recent weeks as Irish shoppers are presumably filling up their shopping baskets more than anticipated. At present, retailers are working closely with supply chains in the Irish industry and are well-placed to respond, however increased demand for certain products should be taken into consideration as the concerns over Covid-19 escalate.
