In a new series by Checkout magazine, we are examining the biggest news from Irish retailers across the year.
Musgrave-owned SuperValu – Ireland’s third-biggest supermarket, according to Kantar – boasts a large network of 259 stores across the island of Ireland.
As well as supporting Irish producers and supporting local communities, the group has also revamped a number of stores during the year, as well as announcing national-level sponsorship deals and boasting award wins.
The group’s slogan – ‘Real Food, Real People’ – speaks to both its commitment to high-quality local produce and to the communities that it serves.
This is a recap of SuperValu in 2024.
Announcements
This year, Musgrave announced that it reached €5 billion in turnover for the first time, in its 2023 financial year, as profits for the year reached €103.9 million.
Musgrave’s official report claimed that, of the €6.5 billion that came in with retail sales, €3.5 billion came from SuperValu stores, showing the retailer’s stake in the company.
During the summer, Musgrave announced the appointment of Luke Hanlon as the managing director of SuperValu and Centra stores, following his interim term, which he had held since March.
The retailer also announced contracts with Irish food producers, including a significant deal with Galway’s Clean Cut Meals, which makes healthy ready-to-eat meals.
Store Revamps
In January, Checkout editor Maev Martin and retail consultant Sharon Yourell Lawlor reported on their visit to the revamped SuperValu Rathgar, with Martin writing, ‘Once you’ve seen this store, it’s hard to believe.’
Speaking about the design, store manager Barry Little said, “The store’s design and layout is the culmination of a 12-month deep dive across the ranges in store, looking at good, better and best.”
This level of care extended to other significant store revamps around the country.
SuperValu unveiled a revamp worth €3.5 million at its Carrigaline store this year, as well as a €1 million redesign in Mayfield.
Twohig’s SuperValu, in Kanturk, relaunched on 25 April, with Martin visiting again, to hear about the changes, which included increasing the area of the store from 11,000 square feet to almost 16,000 square feet.
In Northern Ireland, the retailer reopened its Lurgan store, following a £675,000 refurbishment to modernise a premises that has been in operation for 20 years.
All of the relaunches included sustainability initiatives and improved layouts, but at the core of each was the retailer’s commitment to offering customers the best experience possible.
As David Collins, the owner of SuperValu Carrigaline, said at the store’s reopening, “We are delighted to be opening our new-look store after […] much hard work from the team.
“The relaunch signifies our dedication to local support and delivering an unmatched shopping experience.”
Awards
It was a bumper year for the retailer, in terms of awards.
At the National Grocery Retail Awards in October, SuperValu won Ireland’s Retailer of the Year, while 12 of its stores were recognised in award categories, including Best Fresh Meat Offering, Excellence in Fresh-Food Retailing in a Medium Supermarket, and Retail Store of the Year – Large Supermarket.
Its products also received prestigious recognitions during the year.
SuperValu producers won 102 Blas na hÉireann awards, including 29 gold awards, 21 silver and 32 bronze, as well as awards in specialty categories.
Speaking about the wins, managing director Hanlon said, “Supporting Irish food producers is at the heart of what we do at SuperValu, and it’s fantastic to see our producers gain the recognition they deserve.”
The retailer was also recognised at the Great Taste Awards, along with convenience retailer Centra (also owned by Musgrave), as it took home 116 awards.
Internationally, SuperValu Portstewart won the NACS European Convenience Retailer of the Year award in Barcelona, following its 2022 revamp, worth £1.1 million, adding to a dazzling year of accolades for the retailer.
Sustainability
Ahead of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launching on 1 February, Musgrave invested €28 million in its SuperValu and Centra stores to prepare.
This investment meant that reverse vending machines (RVMs) were installed in 219 SuperValu stores, to ensure an easy transition for customers.
Since the launch of the scheme, the operator of the DRS, Re-turn, has reported over 750 million returns, helped by retailers and consumers embracing the scheme.
The retailer also works with Too Good To Go, an app that aims to reduce food waste, saving 100 million meals in 2023.
The design of stores also plays an important role in SuperValu’s sustainability practices, with Musgrave Northern Ireland announcing a £3 million investment in solar projects for its sites in October.
Initiatives
SuperValu has continued its sponsorship of SuperValu TidyTowns, which encourages communities to keep their areas clean and free from litter.
Earlier this month, it announced Ballincollig, Co. Cork, as Ireland’s tidiest town for 2024.
The retailer reached out to schools, as well, as part of its partnership with Grow It Yourself (GIY), calling for students to care for a school garden and grow food.
In June, the retailer and GIY awarded Nagle-Rice National School, in Co. Kerry, a school garden worth €1,000 when it won ‘Let’s GROW 2024’ with Tadgh’s Garden.
This year saw also SuperValu sponsor Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with the famous GAA grounds now bearing the moniker SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Within supermarkets, SuperValu launched another successful year of Food Academy, which saw 21 producers debut their products in SuperValu stores across Ireland.
Speaking at the time, SuperValu’s trading director, Ciara McClafferty, said, ”At SuperValu, we have supported the Food Academy programme for over a decade now, and it is wonderful to see that talent and innovation continues to grow in this industry.”
What Now?
Looking ahead, SuperValu seems keen to continue on its innovative path, while supporting communities and local producers.
In terms of market share, its popularity shows no sign of waning, and the retailer seems more enthusiastic than ever to stay on this growth trajectory.
When Musgrave reached its record turnover, group CEO Noel Keeley highlighted the importance of examining trends that influence shopping behaviour, in order to stay astride of customer needs.
Keeley said, “Looking further ahead, we are focused on maximising the strength of our core brands as part of our 2030 strategy.”
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