Main Findings - NCA Euro/Sterling Survey
18 June 2008
The National Consumer Agency conducted a price survey of Tesco, Dunnes and Lidl in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) on 4 June 2008.
Summary
| | Total Products Surveyed | NI Value € | ROI Value € | Diff | % Diff |
| Tesco Branded | 42 | 112.17 | 144.03 | 31.85 | 28% |
| Tesco Own Brand | 26 | 34.90 | 40.78 | 5.88 | 17% |
| | | | | | |
| Dunnes Branded | 42 | 107.65 | 141.42 | 33.77 | 31% |
| Dunnes Own Brand | 20 | 27.57 | 30.53 | 2.96 | 11% |
| | | | | | |
| Lidl | 33 | 45.42 | 52.88 | 7.46 | 16% |
The exchange rate was taken on the day as being £1 = €1.2655.
Tesco - Branded Goods
A total of 42 branded goods were surveyed in two locations: Tesco in Banbridge, Co Down in NI and Finglas Clarehall, Dublin13 in the ROI.
Once VAT and Excise are removed, the total basket of goods surveyed cost €112.17 in NI compared with €144.03 in ROI. A difference of €31.85, or 28%.
Within this there was a wide variation:
- Five products were cheaper in ROI, with the greatest difference being Hovis Granary Wholemeal Brown sliced bread (800 Gram) which was 58 cent cheaper in ROI (31%). €1.87 in NI v €1.29 in ROI
- 37 products were more expensive in ROI, with the greatest difference being McCain beer battered ridge cut Chips - 750g which was €1.74 more expensive (106%). €1.65 in NI v €3.39 in ROI; Colgate Toothpaste Total - 50 ml- +86% €0.93 in NI v €1.73 in ROI.
Large Money Difference:
Pampers Easy up Economy Pack Junior (38 Piece) +€3.65: €11.34 in NI, €14.99 in ROI.
Persil original non biological - 4.75kg +€3.72: €10.41 in NI, €14.13 in ROI.
Tesco - Own Brand
Twenty-six own brand goods were surveyed in two locations: Tesco in Banbridge, Co Down in NI and Finglas Clarehall, Dublin13 in the ROI.
Once VAT and Excise are removed, the total basket of goods surveyed cost €34.90 in NI compared with €40.78 in ROI. A difference of €5.88, or 17%.
Examining the variation:
- Six products were cheaper in ROI with the greatest difference being Tesco Pure Sunflower Oil (1 litre), which was 72 cent less expensive in ROI (42%). €1.71 in NI v €0.99 in ROI
- 20 products were more expensive in ROI, with the greatest difference being on Tesco Marmalade (Fine Cut) 454 gram, which was €1.03 more expensive (186%): €0.56 in NI v €1.59 in ROI
Tesco Stayfresh Wholemeal medium sliced bread (800 gram) - €0.82 in NI v €1.42 in ROI. +73% (60 cent).
Dunnes Stores - Branded Goods
A total of 42 branded goods were surveyed in two locations: Dunnes Stores in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh in NI and Blanchardstown, Dublin15 in the ROI.
Once VAT and Excise are removed, the total basket of goods surveyed cost €107.65 in NI compared with €141.42 in ROI. A difference of €33.77, or 31%.
Examining the variation:
- 1 product was cheaper in ROI - Coca Cola 2 litre - 5 cent less expensive (2.9%). €1.62 in NI v €1.57 in ROI
- 41 products were more expensive in ROI with the greatest difference being on Domestos Bleach 750 ml which was €0.65 more expensive (96%). €0.68 in NI v €1.33 in ROI
Barrys Green label tea bags80 pack +66%; €1.80 in NI v €2.99 in ROI.
Large Money Difference:
Pampers Easy up Economy Pack Junior 38 piece +€3.65; €11.34 in NI, €14.99 in ROI.
Cow&Gate Baby Milk from Birth (900 Gram)+€3.64; €8.85 in NI, €12.49 in ROI.
Persil Colour Powder 2.85kg +€2.07; €6.42 in NI, €8.49 in ROI.
Dunnes Stores - Own Brand
A total of 20 own brand goods were surveyed in two locations: Dunnes Stores in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh in NI and Blanchardstown, Dublin15 in ROI.
Once VAT and Excise are removed, the total basket of goods surveyed cost €27.57 in NI compared with €30.53 in ROI. A difference of €2.96, or 11%.
The variation:
- Six products were cheaper in ROI with the greatest difference being Dunnes Stores Blackberry SparklingFlavourWater 2 liter - 32 cent cheaper in ROI (34%). €0.93 in NI v €0.62 in ROI.
- 14 products were more expensive in ROI with the greatest difference being on Dunnes Stores Marmalade (Thick Cut) 454 gram which was €0.59 more expensive (59%). €1.00 in NI v €1.59 in ROI.
Dunnes Stores Processed Peas (420 gram) +36% - €0.37 in NI v €0.50 in ROI.
Lidl
A total of 33 goods were surveyed in two locations: Lidl, Newry, Co.Down in NI and Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 in the ROI.
Once VAT and Excise are removed, the total basket of goods surveyed cost €45.42 in NI compared with €52.88 in ROI. A difference of €7.46, or 16%.
The variation:
- Nine products were cheaper in ROI, with the greatest difference being Easily Better Vegetable Spread (500 Gram) - 35 cent cheaper in ROI (29%). €1.20 in NI v €0.85 in ROI
- 24 products were more expensive in ROI, with the greatest difference being on McKinleys Tea Bags 80 pk Red Box which was €0.49 more expensive (120%). €0.40 in NI v €0.89 in ROI
Golden Sun Long Grain Rice- 1Kg +100% - €0.54 in NI v €1.09 in ROI.
Background information on VAT rates
Ireland
- The standard rate of VAT is 21%: This applies to all goods and services that are not exempt or liable at the zero or reduced rates.
- Reduced rate of VAT - 13.5%: This applies to certain fuels, buildings and building services, certain newspapers etc.
- Zero-rated goods and services: These include exports, certain food and drink, oral medicine, certain books etc.
- Exempted goods and services: These include financial, medical and educational activities.
Most food and drink sold by retail shops is chargeable to VAT at the zero-rate. This includes most basic foodstuffs, for example, bread, butter, tea, sugar, meat, milk, vegetables etc.
Certain items of food and drink are specifically excluded from the scope of the zero-rate. These are taxable at the rates of 13.5% or 21%.
Food liable at the 13.5% rate includes flour or egg based bakery products e.g. cakes, crackers, certain wafers and biscuits. Food and drink liable at the 21% rate includes sweets, chocolates, confectionery, crisps, ice-cream and soft drinks.
In addition food and drink liable at the 21 % rate includes:
- Frozen desserts, frozen yogurts and similar frozen products, and prepared mixes and powders for making any such product or similar products;
- Uncooked confectionery;
- Savory snack products made from cereal or grain, fried bread segments, pork scratchings, and similar products; and
- Soft drinks and alcohol
UK/NI
Currently there are three rates:
- Standard rate - 17.5 per cent
- Reduced rate - 5 per cent
- Zero rate - 0 per cent
The standard rate of VAT is the default rate for goods and services unless specified otherwise.
Examples of reduced rate items include:
- Domestic fuel and power
- Installation of energy-saving materials
- Residential conversions
- Women's sanitary products
- Children's car seats
Examples of zero-rated items include:
- Basic food - but not meals in restaurants or hot takeaways or some “luxery items”
- Books and newspapers
- Children's clothing and shoes
- Public transport
Background information on excise rates
Excise rates in Ireland and the UK/NI are based on the amount of alcohol in the beverage.
Two examples:
- Bushmills original 70cl - smooth and mellow has €7.57 excise in NI compared with €10.99 in ROI
- Wolf Blass Red Label ShirazCabernet (75 Centilitre)- €1.85 in NI, €2.05 in ROI
Downloads
The data from the NCA's grocery price survey is also available in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format (XLS, 124KB)
Read the NCA's press release about the survey