LEADING Irish wholesale and distribution firm, the Barry Group officially opened a €1.5 million extension to its state-of-the-art central distribution base in north Cork yesterday.

The Barry Group is to open eight new Buy Lo stores by the end of the year and also increase the number of Carry Out off-licences by 52 to 104.

Wholesale distribution company Barry Group today announced pre-tax profits of €3m for 2009, a rise of over 12% on the €2.67m it earned the previous year.

CASH and carry wholesaler James A Barry & Co Ltd has posted after-tax profits of around €2.57 million for the year to the end of January, 2010, according to accounts filed with the Companies’ Registration Office.

THE Barry Group has pushed sales in Ireland up by €11.68 million – a 6.2% increase – to €201.02m in the year to the end of January, according to accounts to be filed with the Companies Office this week.