Superquinn factor boosts SuperValu sales 23%

SuperValu has reported a near 23% increase in annual retail sales to €2.58bn for 2014, aided by a first year’s contribution from the 24 former Superquinn stores which the Musgrave-owned business inherited early last year.

The company also announced yesterday, its intention to invest €18m this year in opening four stores, including at Athlone, Co Westmeath, and Kilcock, Dublin, which will add 280 jobs to the SuperValu network. The retailer ranks as one of the country’s largest private sector employers, with around 14,500 workers.

Recent figures from consumer insights agency Kantar Worldpanel showed SuperValu has a 24.9% share of the grocery market, second only to Tesco, weekly serving around 2.6m customers.