Centra commits to 18 new stores despite inflation surge

Centra  reported sales increased by 2.5% to €1.98bn, which it said was helped by the performances of the stores as well as its coffee and meals products, including the Freshly Prepared and Frank and Honest coffee brands.

Pictured are Ciaran Mangan, Centra council chair with Ian Allen, managing director, and Cormac Dawson, sales director.

The head of Centra has ramped up the expansion plans for the grocery chain this year, despite shoppers feeling the financial squeeze from surging inflation.

Managing director Ian Allen said Centra, which is part of the Cork-based Musgrave Group, plans to open 18 new stores this year, in an expansion plan that will create 430 new jobs.