Supermarket turnover rose 5.6% in the first quarter of 2013 to €7.9bn, despite the fact consumers are more price-conscious.

With an early Easter, March alone saw turnover grow 10.7% to €2.7bn, said research agency GfK which released the figures.

Without the Easter effect, first quarter turnover would have been 4.2% higher, GfK said.

Price rises also played a part in the increase, with fruit and vegetables costing more because of the exceptionally cold weather.