Donnellys seal €30m SPAR deal

Donnelly Fruit and Veg are to supply all SPAR supermarkets with fruit and vegetables throughout Ireland in a €30m deal announced today.

The agreement will focus on SPAR’s Dublin presence initially, but Donnellys intend to supply their stores nationwide within the year.

Brian Doyle, general manager of Donnellys said today: "We aim to be in a position to supply all SPAR stores with our fresh produce within the next 12 months."

The Fruit and Veg distributor has already formed exclusive relationships with nearly 40 growers in North Co Dublin and a number of overseas suppliers.

Speaking after the announcement, Alex Banahan, sales and marketing director of SPAR said: "Extensive consumer research recently carried out by SPAR in Ireland suggested that the availability of fresh fruit and veg are top priorities for our customers.

"Following this deal, we aim to establish SPAR as the leading supplier of fresh fruit and veg in the symbol group sector," Banahan added.

Donnelly Fruit & Veg was established in 1980 and is based in St Margaret's, North Co Dublin.