A traditional favourite is continuing to decline in popularity
Christmas puddings are continuing to decline in popularity in Ireland(Image: Getty images)
The classic Christmas pudding is seeing a continued dip in popularity among Irish consumers, with a shift towards more contemporary festive desserts.
SuperValu’s Christmas insights reveal that whilst approximately 65,000 Christmas puddings were sold last year, this represents an ongoing annual decrease as shoppers choose more modern alternatives. Chocolate puddings and salted caramel desserts are among the rapidly growing festive treats, gaining traction as households prefer richer, more up-to-date flavours over the traditional pudding and cake.
On the other hand, selection boxes and tubs of sweets remain at the heart of Irish Christmas traditions. SuperValu sold over 790,000 selection boxes in the lead-up to Christmas, making them the best-selling seasonal item, while tubs of favourites like Cadbury Roses and Quality Street continue to reign supreme, with both products increasing their market share compared to the previous year.
SuperValu unveiled these trends based on comprehensive sales data that sheds light on how Irish consumers gear up for the big day. The data reveals that bags of ice are the most common last-minute panic purchase, with 19,000 bags sold on Christmas Eve alone, closely followed by cream.
Cream sales experience a significant seasonal surge, with 10% of total December cream sales happening on the 24th, and overall demand for cream spiking in the final days before Christmas as households stock up for desserts and cooking, reports the Irish Mirror.
Fresh produce categories also witness robust growth in the run-up to Christmas. Berries see a significant surge, fuelled by their use in desserts and festive breakfasts, while cream and bakery items both experience considerable increases in the five days leading up to Christmas as shoppers add last-minute touches to their menus.
Cheese and charcuterie continue to grow strongly as well, with Signature Tastes party food being one of the fastest-selling ranges during peak week. Turkey continues to be the favoured Christmas meat, but the growth in other proteins now surpasses it. Sales of beef and lamb persist in rising, and duck saw the largest proportional increase last year, albeit from a smaller base.
Cadbury Selection Box 125g(Image: B&M)
Concurrently, demand for smaller turkey options – including crowns and boned-and-rolled joints – keeps on climbing, reflecting smaller household sizes and more intimate gatherings. Vegetarian options such as The Happy Pear Chestnut Roast have also seen consistent year-on-year growth.
While some habits are evolving, many festive staples remain firmly entrenched. In the vegetable aisles, Brussels sprouts continue to perform strongly, with 196,000 bags sold in the week before Christmas.
Irish shoppers also bought over 800 tonnes of potatoes, as roast potatoes maintain their status as the nation’s favourite festive side dish.
Notably, customers are distributing their expenditure over an extended timeframe, purchasing non-perishable Christmas goods – including tubs of confectionery and crisps – from early November. Own-label product sales reach their zenith at approximately 20% of total turnover during Christmas week, whilst overall quantities stay consistent throughout essential categories.
Over 80% of SuperValu’s turnover continually derives from Irish registered suppliers, highlighting robust and ongoing backing for domestic producers.
Musgrave Retail’s Marketing Director, Rita Kirwan, commented: “We look forward to welcoming shoppers to SuperValu this Christmas. Our festive shopping data shows how Irish Christmas traditions are evolving as shoppers put a new twist on many of the old favourites. The festive rush starts to build from early November and ramps up towards our busiest period of the year from December 19th to 23rd. I’d like to thank all of our customers as well as our independent retail partners and their staff, who always go the extra mile to deliver a fantastic festive experience in stores across every community in Ireland.”
Consumer lifestyle trends are also shaping festive shopping. “Newstalgia” – a craving for nostalgic flavours with a contemporary spin – is gaining traction, particularly in desserts and sweet treats.
Friendsmas gatherings are on the rise, fuelling demand for charcuterie boards, cheeses and “picky bits”. Simultaneously, novelty drinks such as hot chocolate bombs, Christmas-themed coffee syrups and seasonal matcha flavours are adding a dash of excitement to home entertaining.
Slow-cook meals are also becoming more popular as households look for convenient, low-stress cooking options during the festive season.
Despite changing tastes, Irish Christmas traditions remain deeply loved. Selection boxes, tubs of sweets, Brussels sprouts, mince pies and the annual RTÉ Guide continue to fill trolleys across the nation, demonstrating that while Irish festive habits may be evolving, the comforts of Christmas remain as potent as ever.
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