Chemists group expands operations

THE Sam McCauley Chemists Group investment in expansion this year will hit €12.5 million as the company targets a doubling of turnover to €100m by 2008.

Yesterday, the Sam McCauley Chemists Group announced a further €7m investment in the Irish pharmacy sector including four new store openings, the relocation and expansion of one existing store, and the launch of an e-commerce on-line sales service. The company said this will add 70 new jobs nationwide to its existing workforce of 500.

The latest planned store openings are in addition to the €5m investment in a new store at Mahon Point which is scheduled to open in February 2005, and the completed expansion and redevelopment of the company’s 20,000 sq ft flagship store at Redmond Square in Wexford.

Managing Director Sam McCauley said: “This has been another year of exceptional growth for our company and will create a strong platform for further rapid growth going forward.”

The four new stores when open will bring the number of Sam McCauley Group outlets to 20 nationally.

“With over 500 employees this latest expansion will further consolidate the company’s position as one of the leading players in the Irish market,” Mr McCauley added.

Under the latest expansion the group has entered the Dublin market for the first time. Sam McCauley Newlands Cross opened in recent days and on Dublin’s North side a Finglas store will open its doors next summer.

In Dungarvan a 5,000 sq ft unit will open in spring 2005. In the summer, another large 5,000 sq ft Sam McCauley store will open in the new Tesco anchored Market Green Shopping Centre in Midleton, and in Wexford a well-established Bunclody store will relocate to a 2,500 sq ft premises.

The group also announced the launch of a Sam McCauley on-line shopping site, which will be hosted by Buy4Now who are the leading internet shopping site in Ireland.