Sunny spell sparks BBQ sales
ShelfLife highlights the key BBQ accompaniments and premium pantry staples retailers should stock to maximise seasonal sales
Print18 June 2026
While Irish summers remain unpredictable, BBQ culture continues to thrive whenever the weather allows. Shoppers are increasingly trading up, seeking quality ingredients and global flavour inspiration.
Despite erratic summer weather this time last year, Irish shoppers contributed an additional €57.4 million to the market’s overall performance, with take-home value sales up 5.2% over the four weeks to 13 July 2025, according to grocery data from Worldpanel by Numerator that was published last summer.
Despite another year of unpredictable weather, retailers should remain confident in stocking up on BBQ essentials. Ireland has consistently shown that consumer demand for outdoor cooking is driven as much by the promise of sunshine as by sustained periods of good weather.
We saw this firsthand at the end of May, when warmer temperatures and brighter conditions prompted shoppers to embrace outdoor living, with many taking the opportunity to fire up the barbecue, entertain friends and family, and make the most of the sunshine.
Importantly, forecasts suggest we can expect further spells of warm weather later in the summer. Experience shows that consumers don’t wait for weeks of guaranteed sunshine before purchasing BBQ products. Instead, a favourable forecast, a sunny weekend ahead, or even a few consecutive dry days can trigger a surge in demand.
When shoppers get a whiff of good weather, they want to seize the moment, spending spontaneously on everything from charcoal and gas to disposable BBQs, outdoor dining accessories, marinades, and grilling essentials.
For retailers, this creates a valuable opportunity. Being well stocked and ready to respond to these weather-driven spikes can make the difference between capturing incremental sales and missing out altogether.
Frank’s RedHot: Kick it up a notch this BBQ season
Frank’s Red Hot Wings Buffalo Sauce
Frank’s RedHot Original
Few hot sauce brands have made the jump into the mainstream as successfully as Frank’s RedHot. While many products in the category compete on heat, Frank’s has built its reputation on something different: flavour. That approach has helped make the brand a favourite with consumers looking to add excitement to meals without overwhelming them.
As BBQ season gets underway, Frank’s RedHot is expanding its range with a trio of launches that build on the brand’s flavour-first credentials.
At the heart of the portfolio remain Frank’s RedHot Original and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo. Original delivers the signature blend of cayenne pepper flavour and heat that has made it a staple in kitchens around the world. At the same time, Buffalo continues to be the go-to choice for creating authentic Buffalo-style wings, burgers and chicken dishes at home.
Joining the range this summer are Frank’s RedHot Sweet & Sticky and Frank’s RedHot Tangy BBQ, available in convenient squeezy bottles.
Sweet & Sticky combines sweetness with a gentle chilli kick, making it ideal for glazing, dipping and drizzling. Tangy BBQ brings together smoky barbecue flavour and the distinctive Frank’s taste profile, offering consumers an easy way to elevate burgers, ribs, chicken and other BBQ favourites.
The latest addition to the range is Frank’s Mayo, launched in June 2026. Combining creamy mayonnaise with the flavour consumers know and love from Frank’s RedHot, it taps into growing demand for flavour-packed condiments that work across burgers, sandwiches, wraps and sharing occasions.
For retailers, the expanded range presents an opportunity to capitalise on summer entertaining and BBQ occasions while offering shoppers more choice from a brand they already know and trust.
Whether it’s Original, Buffalo, Sweet & Sticky, Tangy BBQ or the new Frank’s Mayo, the focus remains the same: delivering great flavour first.
Kick it up a Notch.
French’s Mustard – A summer essential for BBQ season
French’s Classic Yellow Mustard
Few products are as synonymous with barbecue season as mustard, and as Irish consumers make the most of longer days and outdoor dining occasions, French’s Mustard continues to be a go-to choice for summer meals.
Whether it’s a family barbecue, a garden gathering with friends or a simple midweek meal enjoyed outdoors, French’s adds flavour to many of the foods most closely associated with the season. From burgers and hot dogs to sausages, chicken and steak, it remains a versatile condiment that complements a wide range of summer favourites.
The growing popularity of at-home entertaining has helped cement barbecue occasions as a key feature of the summer calendar. Consumers are increasingly looking for simple ways to elevate everyday meals, and condiments play an important role in bringing flavour and variety to the table.
French’s Classic Yellow Mustard delivers the distinctive taste that shoppers know and trust, making it a staple addition to barbecue spreads throughout the season.
For retailers, the summer season provides an ideal opportunity to highlight products that shoppers naturally associate with outdoor dining. Positioning French’s alongside barbecue essentials such as burger buns, sausages, burgers and grilling accessories can help inspire meal ideas and encourage additional purchases.
French’s Mustard is available in two convenient pack sizes – 226g and 397g – catering for everything from everyday household use to larger family gatherings and summer entertaining occasions.
As consumers stock up on barbecue staples this summer, French’s remains a trusted choice for adding flavour to seasonal favourites.
French’s Mustard – It’s a Must.
Thanks Plants fires up the BBQ season
Thanks Plants range
As summer arrives and barbecues return to gardens across Ireland, Thanks Plants is helping consumers put more plants on the grill without compromising on flavour, satisfaction or nutrition.
Available in Tesco, SuperValu, Dunnes and independent retailers nationwide, the Irish plant-based brand has built a loyal following with its range of protein-packed BBQ favourites.
Leading the line-up are the popular Frankfurters, made from cannellini beans, pearl barley, vegetables, herbs and spices, blended with wheat protein to deliver an impressive 17g of protein per sausage.
Alongside the Frankfurters, the range includes flavour-packed sausages such as Chipotle Salsa, Apple & Sage and Sundried Tomato & Herb, each designed to bring bold flavours and a satisfying bite to summer dining.
The NoMoooo Burger has also become a customer favourite, offering a hearty burger option packed with wholesome plant-based ingredients.
What sets Thanks Plants apart is its commitment to creating food that is both nutritious and delicious. Across the range, products are made using carefully selected ingredients and are naturally high in protein, making them ideal for vegans, vegetarians and the growing number of consumers looking to reduce their meat consumption.
Beyond the barbecue, the brand also offers its Everyday Roast and a range of comforting meal pots, including hearty stews, curries and dals, providing convenient, nourishing meals for busy households.
Whether it’s burgers on the grill, sausages in a bun or a quick midweek dinner, Thanks Plants is proving that plant-based food can be colourful, flavourful and satisfying all year round.
Cuisine de France brings back brioche buns
Brioche Style Buns milk butter
Since its debut in 1989, Cuisine de France has grown into one of Ireland’s most loved in-store bakery brands, celebrated for its exceptional breads and pastries. Its commitment to innovation continues as it brings exciting products to consumers, season after season.
Following the strong success of our Brioche Style Bun last BBQ season, it is delighted to reintroduce it for this year’s summer grilling occasions.
Its excellent quality and standout performance in a BBQ setting were warmly received by shoppers, making it a natural choice to return once again for the season ahead.
It is confident the Brioche Style Bun will remain a firm favourite, helping shoppers elevate their BBQ creations throughout the summer.
Enjoy a greener BBQ season with Calor Patio Gas
Calor is supporting outdoor living through its seasonal BBQ campaign
With summer in full swing, Calor is supporting outdoor living through its seasonal BBQ campaign, placing a strong spotlight on its compact 6kg patio gas cylinder – the ideal choice for barbecues and smaller patio heaters.
Lightweight, portable, and easy to store, the 6kg cylinder is designed for convenience, making it perfect for everyday outdoor use at home or on the go.
Alongside the 6kg option, Calor also offers its larger 11kg cylinder for extended use. Both sizes are now available with a renewable fuel blend that includes 20% BioLPG, making them Ireland’s first and only renewable patio gas cylinders available to consumers.
Calor BioLPG is a certified renewable gas made from sustainably sourced vegetable oils, waste, and residue materials. As it is chemically identical to conventional LPG, it works seamlessly with existing barbecues, patio heaters, and outdoor appliances – no modifications required.
Dermot Hurley, head of Calor Cylinder Sales, said:
“Our 6kg cylinder is a key part of our patio gas range, offering a practical, easy-to-handle solution for customers who want flexibility when cooking or entertaining outdoors. Combined with our renewable BioLPG blend, it also provides a more sustainable option, helping retailers meet growing demand for lower carbon products.”
Using the globally recognised mass balance approach, each cylinder contains 20% BioLPG and 80% conventional LPG – delivering reduced carbon emissions without compromising performance.
Consumers can continue to enjoy summer favourites with the convenience of the compact 6kg cylinder leading the way.
Learn more at www.calorgas.ie.
ZIP ‘leads the way’ in natural BBQ solutions
100% Natural Briquettes
Barbecuing is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland and ZIP is the go-to brand this summer for your BBQ needs. ZIP is the number one firelighter brand in Ireland* and has been proudly manufacturing high-preforming, long-burning and powerful range of ignition products for 90 years.
Celebrating 90 years, ZIP shows no signs of slowing down. ZIP is now leading the way with natural firelighters and fuel, including ZIPs new and award-winning 100% Natural Great Bags of Fire and 100% Natural High Performance Charcoal Briquettes. These two products provide an innovative eco-minded twist on firelighting that keeps things simple without compromising on performance.
This summer marks the first BBQ season with ZIPs award-winning 100% Natural Great Bags of Fire on the market. A natural alternative to Kerosene firelighters, they are compact and convenient, infused with cinnamon for rapid ignition and made from sustainable willow and waxes. No fuss, no harsh chemicals, just a long lasting flame that gets your BBQ coming in minutes.
ZIPs 100% Natural High Performance Charcoal Briquettes are perfect for any summer BBQ. Using these briquettes means a shorter wait to start barbecuing, a longer burn time for grilling larger quantities and a high consistent heat to ensure food is cooked to perfection!
Together, this natural duo helps streamline the shopper experience, with products designed to work perfectly side by side. ZIPs one-stop solution offers convenience while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to quality; giving consumers confidence they can rely on ZIP for everything they need in one place.
With 90 years of expertise, ZIP is just getting started!
*Source: NIQ IRE w.e.19.04.2026 (MAT) 28.2% €MS
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