€5.5m investment to create 110 jobs

A €5.5 million investment in four new BuyLo stores in counties Killarney, Waterford, Shannon and Dublin and a massive expansion of its Mallow warehouse facilities by the Barry Group will result in the creation of 110 jobs.

The Barry Group, a leading wholesale distribution company, is expected to announce in the coming days that four BuyLo stores will open between now and the end of November.

The stores represents a €2 million investment in fit-out and stock and will lead to the creation of 60 jobs by the end of the year

Barry Group managing director Jim Barry said BuyLo is a successful and proven retail concept and believes the potential for the growth of this part of our business is excellent.

“Despite the country’s current financial difficulties, it’s important to emphasise that there are still plenty of opportunities in the marketplace for companies brave enough to seek them out,” said Mr Barry

Mr Barry said BuyLo offers a unique concept in discount retailing, offering well-known brands of food and non-food items at discounted prices. There are three BuyLo stores currently in operation: Ashbourne, Co Meath, Tralee, Co Kerry, and the newest in Mullingar which opened in August.

And the company is applying for planning permission to expand warehouse facilities at its Mallow-based headquarters by 55,000sq ft.

The expansion of existing facilities will bring the Barry Group’s central distribution centre to 200,000 sq ft, taking in a five-acre footprint.

The warehouse expansion will create 50 jobs over a three-year period and represents an investment of €3.5m in its central distribution centre.

The company hopes construction will begin in the first quarter of 2011, subject to a successful planning application process.