Annual results

• Download a PDF of our full ANNUAL REPORT 2009
  
• Download a PDF of our 2009 FINANCIALS
• Visit our online ANNUAL REVIEW

Headline results

Given the challenging trading conditions in all our markets in 2009, especially in Ireland and Spain, we delivered a satisfactory performance that positions the Group well to support our retailers through the challenges of 2010.

• Sales of €4.5 billion, down 3 per cent on 2008 at constant exchange rate
• Profit before tax of €70 million, down 7 per cent
• Net debt reduced from €86.2 million to €59 million

In the Republic of Ireland, by delivering lower prices to the consumer, through re-structuring our business, increasing support to our retail partners and through their investment in their stores, our SuperValu, Centra and Daybreak brands outperformed the market in 2009. 

In the UK, our businesses in Northern Ireland and Great Britain made good progress delivering sales of £1.4 billion, a growth of 3 per cent.

In Spain we have continued with our programme of selling our stores to independent retailers. By the close of 2009 over 50 per cent of all of the €190 million Spanish retail sales were to independent retailers.