SuperValu, the independent retailer banner of Irish retail group Musgrave, achieved retail sales of €2.1 billion in 2012 and has announced that it is to create 300 new jobs in 2013.
Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu, described the performance as “ahead of the overall market” and said it was achieved by “delivering value to shoppers through price reductions, promotions and our extensive SuperValu own brand range”.
Kelleher added that during 2013, the retailer hopes to add a further 300 new jobs, as part of a €20 million investment programme. The new jobs will be created by the opening of three new stores and the extension and refurbishment of a further 40.
160 of these positions will be created with the opening of two greenfield sites, located in Celbridge, Co. Kildare and Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
According to the company, SuperValu invested €290 million in 2012 in delivering value while maintaining its policy of sourcing from Irish suppliers whenever possible.
SuperValu’s 195 stores nationwide employ over 12,000 people, with an annual payroll of over €213 million, making it one of the State’s largest employers.
Retailers spent €75 million directly with local suppliers, while stores also spent over €15.7 million on local professional services such as accountancy, and donated over €2.8 million to local voluntary and community groups.
“SuperValu is a fantastic local success story and we are extremely proud of our contribution to local communities, where quite often the store is the biggest employer in the area. It is an internationally recognised fact that locally owned and operated businesses, like SuperValu, keep and circulate three times more money locally than those in international ownership. There is 12,000 people employed across our store network, including 450 butchers and over 200 bakers,” said Kelleher. (12 March)
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Kevin Kelly
