THE Irish arm of US food giant Heinz recorded an 11% drop in pre-tax profits last year to €16.6 million.

A SURGE in convenience shopping saw sales at Centra stores grow by 14% last year, to over €1 billion.

Retail grocery chain Musgrave SuperValu-Centra has signed a two-year contract extension with electricity firm Energia that will be worth around €38 million.