Centra has announced an impressive performance with retail sales worth €1.48 billion in 2013, a 3.5% increase on the previous year.
The convenience store brand has also announced that it will open another 20 stores in 2014, resulting in some 400 new jobs in Ireland. Centra revealed that it increased its overall market share in the convenience market, serving three million customers per week.
Sales of Centra's own brand range also increased by 17% last year.
Martin Kelleher, managing director of Centra, commented on the results: "2013 was a very successful year for Centra, despite the on-going challenges of the current economic climate. The increases recorded in sales and market share clearly demonstrate that consumers recognise the value, choice and quality offered by Centra. This performance was particularly driven by the Centra own brand range, in addition to new store openings and refurbishments."
Kelleher said the Centra own brand launch was the biggest in Centra’s 35-year history, with a total of 800 products and an investment of €8 million. A further 120 new products will be added to this range in 2014.
Kelleher added, "Buoyed by our sales performance, our retail partners also invested over €7 million in new stores, extensions and refurbishments with 20 new stores and adding 45,000 square feet of additional retail space."
In addition, Kelleher said that Centra will continue to support communities across Ireland through their on-going partnership with the GAA and support for charitable causes such as Action Breast Cancer.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson