€5m 'next generation' store opens in Dublin

Retail grocery chain Spar has opened its new €5m flagship store in Dublin’s Camden Street.

The opening is part of franchise owners BWG’s three-year strategy to bring “next generation” stores to Ireland and follows a comprehensive review undertaken into the convenience retail business in Ireland.

The company took advice from leading design consultants and from International SPAR in Amsterdam, to ensure SPAR Ireland has either identified or anticipated the requirements of the consumer in the future.

The new Camden Street store, which is located in the old Irish Nationwide headquarters, will employ 50 people.

Measuring 5,300 sq. ft, the new store incorporates food to go, an extended chilled food range including a wide range of ready meals, a wide grocery range, a full off-licence and an internet café.

In May this year, BWG announced it would grow the number of SPAR stores in Ireland by a further 100 stores to over 500 stores by 2006.

Spar currently has over 400 stores throughout Ireland.

It is envisaged that by 2006, Spar’s retail turnover will be approaching €1bn and over 1,000 jobs created in the process.