SuperValu plans to create 400 jobs

SUPERVALU, the independent supermarket network, is to create 400 jobs as part of a €25 million investment programme.

When the work on two new stores and the extension and refurbishment of a further 34 more is complete the numbers employed by the network will hit 15,000, serving two million customers a week.

The new stores will be located at Mountmellick, Co Laois and Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.

Speaking at SuperValu’s national conference in Killarney, which was attended by over 500 retailers, managing director Martin Kelleher said the company had recorded €2.1 in sales last year.

Mr Kelleher said he was also pleased they managed to grow market share from 19.9% at the end of 2010 to 20.2%.

“I am pleased to announce that SuperValu will create 400 new jobs this year, as we continue to meet the changing needs of the Irish consumer, as evidenced by our share growth in the market.

“The trading environment in 2011 continues to be extremely difficult, but we are confident we can continue to adapt our offer in response to the budget-conscious consumer,” he said.

“We are ideally placed to achieve this as our retail partners own their stores; enabling them to tailor their offer to the communities they serve. We will also be looking to expand via our new stores opening, extension and refurbishment to existing stores and by exploring opportunities with the right retailers who are keen to switch to our brand.”

Mr Kelleher said that SuperValu has 192 stores and he is proud it is the only retailer with a store in every county.

He stressed SuperValu’s commitment to Irish-based producers, with sales of over €1bn worth of fresh Irish food every year.

“In 2010 the total purchases of Irish goods and services made by SuperValu was worth over €1.6bn to the Irish economy, serving to create and protect almost 300,000 Irish jobs.”