Independent foodstore group Centra has recorded 22.5% growth in retail turnover last year, with sales of €652.6 million. Centra says that growth, including revenue from 32 new stores opening during the year, was 16%.
This growth comes after a 25% turnover increase in 2000. Centra says this represents the most significant turnover growth of any operator in the Irish grocery market, where the CSO puts market growth for 2001 at 10.1%.
There are now 317 independently owned Centra stores in Ireland, with just over a 7% share of the national market. 32 new stores were opened last year with up to 40 new stores in the pipeline for 2002. Centra stores employ 6,000 people.
Grocery distributor Musgrave Group owns the franchise to Centra. The parent company buys for the group and provides it with support services, including marketing, technology and financial management systems.
