TL;DR: Coca-Cola retains its title as Ireland’s top brand for the 22nd consecutive year, with Lucozade and Tayto following closely behind in a rankings list showcasing a strong presence of local products.
Coca-Cola has once again proved its dominance in the Irish market, topping the Checkout Top 100 Brands list for 2026, as compiled by Checkout Magazine. This marks the 22nd consecutive year the global beverage giant has held this prestigious position, a testament to its unwavering popularity among Irish consumers. The rankings reveal a familiar mix at the top, where enduring favorites continue to capture the hearts—and shopping baskets—of shoppers across the country.
Following Coca-Cola, Lucozade took the second spot, demonstrating the strong preference for non-alcoholic beverages among the Irish populace. Tayto, a beloved Irish crisp brand, clinches third place, while Dairy Milk and Monster secured fourth and fifth spots, respectively. It’s noteworthy that brands like Tayto, Brennans, and Avonmore represent home-grown success, reinforcing the value of local production in this top-tier list.
In an encouraging trend, Checkout Magazine emphasized the performance of Irish brands further down the rankings. Ballygowan, for instance, has made a splash in the functional water segment after launching its first caffeinated water, while Deep RiverRock also ventured into this space, introducing a vitamin-enhanced line designed with wellness in mind. Meanwhile, Brady Family and Kerrygold are maintaining their status as household staples, adapting and innovating to meet evolving consumer needs.
Indeed, innovation seems to be the name of the game as brands seek to align with modern consumer preferences. Irish Pride made headlines with its recent relaunch featuring “fibre-filled, emulsifier-free, preservative-free” breads—an effort aligned with the trend towards healthier eating choices. Similarly, VITHIT, a local health and wellness beverage brand, has emerged as a leader in the Health/Functional Drinks category, demonstrating the growing consumer appetite for products that marry health and convenience.
“What we are seeing is a clear willingness among consumers to pay a premium for products that offer tangible benefits,” said Maev Martin, editor of Checkout. This sentiment reinforces the significant value that Irish consumers place on health, quality, and trusted brands in grocery shopping, although it does make one wonder if the high prices are occasionally justified or just a clever marketing strategy.
The overall rankings reflect a broader consumer trend, with shoppers favouring a blend of both luxuries like sweets and snacks, and essentials. The top categories—confectionery, soft drinks, and dairy products—tell a telling tale of how sweet and savory items reign supreme in grocery retail, while also raising eyebrows about the health implications of such choices.
As we unveil these results, one might ponder: with such a heavyweight list dominated by labels that many Irish families have known for decades, will the relentless march of globalization dilute these home-grown brands? Time will tell, but for now, it seems the Irish consumer is still prioritising familiarity and trust when it comes to their shopping choices.
In a related nugget of trivia, did you know that according to a study by Kantar, over 90% of the brands that Irish consumers buy regularly are those they’ve loved for years? Sometimes, it really is about the classics—at least, until something new and shiny catches their eye!
For more on this topic, check out the full details on RTÉ.
