Shoppers are already buying groceries for Christmas, but overall sales are continuing to decline compared with last year when the country remained under tough restrictions.

Overall grocery sales fell 4.8pc in the 12 weeks to October 31 compared with the corresponding period last year, as consumers continued to spend more at restaurants and other venues as restrictions eased, according to figures from research group Kantar.

While sales remain 8.9pc higher than in the corresponding period in 2019 – before the pandemic struck – the past four weeks has seen an acceleration in the rate of decline in sales compared with last year.

Data from Kantar also shows that grocery inflation stood at 0.9pc for the 12 weeks to 31 October. That’s the highest level since March this year and compares with 0.6pc in the 12 weeks to October 3.

Last month, Kantar noted the price of goods such as healthcare products, hot beverages and frozen food had risen rapidly. Consumers are also paying more for energy, fuel, waste collection and other services.

Emer Healy, a retail analyst at Kantar, said people have been making the most of their new-found freedoms.

“Dining out is firmly back on the table, bringing a welcome boost to the hospitality sector as friends and families returned to bars and restaurants,” she said.

“With fewer meals eaten around the kitchen table, we’ve seen supermarket sales drop by 8.4pc in the latest four weeks,” she pointed out. “Irish shoppers spent €86.1m less on groceries this month compared with the equivalent period last year when the nation was in lockdown.”

Online sales have continued to perform well for supermarkets.

In the previous four weeks, they’ve risen 2.2pc.

“The data suggests that e-commerce has become a lifeline for many people as they adjust to busier routines,” said Ms Healy.

“Online has won long-term converts but also continues to attract new shoppers, with online shopping novices contributing an additional €1.3m to the sector’s overall performance,” she added.

Last month, Tesco said its online sales in Ireland jumped 75pc between 2019 and 2021, and were 10.8pc higher half way through its current financial year than they were a year ago.

Dunnes Stores held the biggest market share of Ireland’s multi-billion euro grocery market in the 12 weeks to October 31, squeezing Musgrave-controlled SuperValu from the top spot.

It had a 22.6pc share of the market in the period, with Kantar noting that the family-owned retailer is historically popular in the run-up to Christmas.

Ms Healy said its performance in the period was lifted by a strong homeware offer and by empty-nesters making early Christmas preparations.

SuperValu held a 22pc share of the market in the latest 12-week period, while Tesco had 21.3pc. Lidl’s share was steady at 12.7pc and Aldi also held 12.7pc.

The Kantar figures measure market share by the value of goods sold, rather than volume.