So I decided to show you prices of basic products in Ireland, but before I would like to have a quick view at main supermarkets - suppliers of these products.
There are several big chains of supermarkets in Eire, and Tesco (English) and Dunnes stores (Irish) are the biggest ones.
Tesco Ireland was formed in 1997 following the acquisition of Power Supermarkets Ltd (Quinnsworth/Crazy Prices). Tesco is one of the largest food retailers in Ireland operating 79 stores nationwide. Tesco stores stock a comprehensive range of Irish and international food and non-food products including fresh foods, convenience foods, grocery, clothing, home entertainment, housewares etc.
The St. Bernard brand was founded in 1956, it remains today a byword for value in retailing. Customers will also find product branded "Dunnes Stores" which represents the company’s offer across Textiles, Homewares and Food of product equivalent to the best branded offer, but at much keener prices. The Food department sells a full range of branded and own brand products.In total there are 123 stores in the Group.
The company operates out of the Republic of Ireland (87 stores); Northern Ireland (23 stores); Great Britain (7 stores); Scotland (2 stores) and Spain (4 stores).
SuperQuinn - Feargal Quinn opened his first shop in 1960, and so began a progression that has led to Superquinn owning 19 large shops and 9 Shopping Centres. In 1973 it pioneered the idea of in-store food manufacturing adding a whole range of specialist fresh food departments including delicatessens, pizza, pasta, salad, bakers and sausage kitchens where food is prepared fresh every day.
Roches Stores is Ireland’s leading department store group and one of the largest privately owned Irish companies in the country.
There are currently 211 SuperValu supermarkets throughout Ireland, including 33 outlets in Northern Ireland. Irish companies produce 70% of Musgrave SuperValu-Centra purchases and, including local distributors in the supply base, over 90% of goods in SuperValu are sourced on the island of Ireland, facilitating consistent product availability and quality.
Finally, you can find here Iceland (English) supermarkets which are famous for its permanent slogan "Buy one get one free", and a few German supermarkets - these are Lidl and Aldi. Usually, the German shops are very crowded as they offer a very comprehensive range of products at very low prices (partly, probably, because most goods there don't incur the VAT surcharge).
As I personally usually go shopping to Tesco, I know them best and that's why I show prices of this supermarket. Nearly all the supermarkets produce their own version of products, branded as Tesco, St.Bernard etc. Proprietary brands of Tesco include Finest, Tesco, and Value, in addition to a full range of branded products. So in my table you will see average prices for common products and their Value equivalents (if available).
Prices (normal and Value) for basic products at Tesco (in Euro)
December 2005:
December 2005:
| White bread (0.8 kg) | 1.35 | 0.35 |
| Milk (2 l) | 1.56 | 1.19 |
| Eggs (12) | 2.35 | 1.50 |
| Pork (1 kg) | 12.74 | 7.74 |
| Beef (1 kg) | 10.25 | 7.99 |
| Whole chicken (1.8 kg) | 8.40 | 4.49 |
| Fresh mushrooms(0.8 kg) | 2.80 | 1.55 |
| Cheddar Cheese (1 kg) | 10.24 | 4.89 |
| Onion (1.5 kg) | 2.29 | 1.20 |
| Fresh tomato (1 kg) | 2.69 | 2.40 |
| Fresh cucumber (0.35 kg) | 0.65 | --- |
| Apples (1 kg) | 2.59 | 1.39 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1.25 | 0.75 |
| Corn Flakes "Fruit and fibre" (0.5 kg) | 2.99 | 1.59 |
| Sugar (1 kg) | 1.05 | 0.86 |
| Beer Heineken (0.5 l) | 1.75 | --- |
| Red wine,Chiаnti Italy (0.75 l) | 10.87 | --- |
| Cigarettes Marlboro (pack) | 6.35 | --- |