Centra announces 9.5% sales hike

Independent grocery giant Centra today announced a 9.5% increase in sales to €930m in the Republic of Ireland in 2004.

The growth comes on top of a 13% retail turnover increase during the previous 12 months.

The results were issued at the Centra National Conference in Killarney, where Centra also declared its intention to add a further 35 new stores in 2005, creating an additional 750 new jobs.

Centra invested more than €50m during 2004 in new stores and in-store refurbishment and development.

During 2004, Centra had 353 outlets in the Republic of Ireland, with a further 35 new stores planned for this year.

It is expected that approximately 525 new jobs will be created in these new stores, with an additional 225 jobs expected through the extension and refurbishment of a further 45 stores. Centra owners will invest €70m in new store development and refurbishment this year.

Average weekly turnover in Centra is €50,000. To meet growing marketshare, MSVC, the franchise operator, opened a new 150,000sq ft warehousing and distribution operation in Kilcock, Co. Kildare, which entailed a €35m investment in logistics infrastructure.

The Centra group was formed in 1979 in Munster and celebrated its 25th anniversary in business in 2004. In addition to the 10,000 people currently employed by Centra retailers, a further 1,600 are employed by MSVC in distribution and retail support services.

Centra is operated by the Musgrave Group retail franchise division, MSVC, which services over 651 independently owned SuperValu and Centra stores throughout Ireland.