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| SuperValu is part of Musgrave SuperValuCentra, the retail franchise division of Musgrave Group, Ireland's largest grocery and food distributor. Musgrave Group was founded in 1876 and is now one of the two largest private companies in Ireland. |
SuperValu, the supermarket group for independent retailers owned by the Musgrave Group, today announced a 5% increase in retail sales to €1.82bn in the Republic of Ireland for the year ending 31st December 2005.
These results* were recorded by the 171 independently owned supermarkets trading under the SuperValu brand in 2005. SuperValu also achieved biggest marketshare growth of any retailer in 2005. TNS (Taylor Nelson Sofres) data showed SuperValu gaining a 0.8 share point growth, to an annual share of 19.7%. The latest 12 weeks TNS data up to the 29th January 2006, shows SuperValu currently at 20% marketshare, a gain of 1.1 share points versus the previous year.
Commenting on the results, Managing Director, Donal Horgan, said, “Our sales figures and marketshare growth reflect a very healthy performance and show real growth against a backdrop of falling food prices and growing competition in the sector”.
Horgan continued, “SuperValu continues to differentiate itself by our strength in fresh food, particularly Irish meat and produce, our consistent keen value offer and the expertise of the local owner. Our stores offer customers quality local produce and our increased focus in this area has delivered excellent results and helped to increase marketshare.”
2005 Store Investment
Over €70m was injected into SuperValu stores in 2005, through a €40m investment in the refurbishment of 22 stores and an investment of €30m in the five new SuperValu stores which opened in Clondalkin, Dunmanway, Wexford, Letterkenny and Grange in Cork, creating an additional 350 jobs.
SuperValu was further strengthened in November with the announcement of Pettitt’s supermarkets joining the group. Pettits has been trading as Pettits SuperValu since January 2006.
Plans for 2006
Looking at the year ahead, SuperValu unveiled plans to invest €40m in new store development. By year end, 15 new supermarkets will be trading with the brand, including the five new Pettitt’s stores.
A further €105m will be invested in the refurbishment or extension of an additional 54 SuperValu supermarkets.
In his keynote address, Mr. Horgan emphasised the contribution that SuperValu makes to job creation in local communities across Ireland. “Approximately 350 jobs will be created in 10 new stores across the country this year, with an additional 250 jobs expected through the extension and refurbishment of existing stores.”
Supporting Irish produce
165 SuperValu stores were awarded the National Hygiene Certificate in 2005 by Excellence Ireland, a standard the independent group claims sets it apart in terms of reinforcing the quality of its food offering. Horgan emphasised the importance of quality, as well as support of Irish food and Irish brands, to SuperValu shoppers.
"In 2005, the SuperValu buying group sourced fresh foods in Ireland worth over €1bn at retail level. Musgrave SuperValu-Centra, which services both SuperValu and the convenience store group Centra, sources approximately 75% of its total purchases from Irish based suppliers. This is worth €2.1bn, with approximately 60% of these goods actually produced in Ireland.”
MSVC currently lists over 600 individual Irish suppliers, from multi-nationals such as IAWS, Kerry Group and Glanbia, to small speciality food companies.
*SuperValu retail sales results exclude fuel sales
