Digital Media Centre

CARLOW IS STILL IRELAND’S SUGAR CAPITAL, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER TRENDS

New ALDI data reveals customers’ favourite products 

Key batch cooking ingredients on the rise among ALDI shoppers 

Carlow shoppers are the most likely to spend on granulated sugar, milk, and butter according to new figures released by retailer ALDI. 

New data released today by ALDI, has revealed Ireland’s favourite products, and highlights changing customer behaviours and shopping trends.  

The data, which analyses sales from ALDI’s 160 Irish stores, based in every county in the country, shows that mini banana packs, bananas and fresh milk are the three biggest selling products nationwide. 

Milk and bananas are essential staple products for households across the 26 counties, with these products consistently among the top five sellers in every single county. Five different product sizes and varieties of both products feature in the Top 20 selling products, according to ALDI. 

Beyond bananas and milk, the product diversity showcased in the top selling products nationally is striking. Key household essentials such as butter and bread are also among the most bought products at ALDI stores. 

Carlow Sales 

Carlow is one of the three counties where granulated sugar is featured in the top 20 selling products. Historically, Carlow was the primary producer of sugar beet in Ireland, with the national sugar company headquartered in the county for decade. This historic link to sugar lives on in the preferences of shoppers in the county, and their enduring sweet tooth.

Beyond sugary and baking items, ALDI’s data reveals other popular products making the Top 20 in Carlow, such as premium baked beans, carrots, baby potatoes, scallions, milk chocolate digestives and bread. 

In the 1800s, Carlow was a stronghold for agriculture, earning the county the nickname of the “scallion eaters”.  Scallions are still a popular product in the county, featuring 18th on the list overall.

ALDI currently operates three stores in Carlow – in Carlow town, Bagenalstown and Tullow.

This diversity of product offering not only reflects sales trends across different counties, but also demonstrates ALDI’s commitment to offer a diverse range of quality products tailored to local tastes. Alongside the country’s biggest sellers, the analysis also identifies the most popular items in each county, offering valuable insights into shopping habits and regional variations. 

Across the summer months in particular, products such as salad tomatoes and scallions were big sellers, as customers took advantage of good weather in May and June to eat more salads and desserts at home. 

As the autumn and winter seasons approach, ALDI’s sales figures reveal an increase in the demand for products like carrots, onions, instant noodles, and baby potatoes. This trend hints at a growing preference for comfort foods perfect for warm soups and stews, and continues the trend towards more batch-cooking, which has been accelerated by increases in the cost of living over the past two years. 

Alongside food and baking staples, household products have also proved popular with ALDI shoppers, with Eco shopping bags and tissues among the 20 biggest selling lines. 

John Curtin, Group Buying Director, ALDI Ireland said: “We are committed to offer a diverse range of quality products that are tailored to satisfy our customers preferences and will remain dedicated to understanding the evolving needs of our customers.  

“The figures we are revealing today are a valuable roadmap for ALDI to continue delivering on our promise. They show us the staple products that Irish shoppers value, the trends and behavioural shifts that we need to take account of to ensure that we continue to deliver unbeatable value and a range of quality products that our customers expect.”