Centra to create 150 new jobs and invest €10M in 20 new stores in 2012

20/02/2012

Economic Report on Centra’s contribution to the Irish economy By David McWilliams’ Economics Clinic shows that Centra retailers:

Paid almost €153 million in wages;
Spent €56M on professional services and products sourced from suppliers in their local community;
Purchased Irish fresh food to the value of €140 Million.

20February – Centra, the number one independent convenience retail chain in Ireland, has today announced that it will add approximately 300 jobs, as 20 new stores are added to its network in 2012. 150 of these will be new jobs created by the opening of a number of new greenfield sites, with the balance of jobs created by store extensions and other independent stores joining the Centra network. This will represent an investment of €10 million in new store openings, as well as the extension and refurbishment of existing stores.

Speaking today at Centra’s National Retailer Conference in Killarney, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, told the 458 Centra retail partners in attendance that the business recorded €1.4 billion in sales in 2011. This performance ensured that Centra maintained its position, as Ireland’s number one convenience brand, processing over three million customer transactions per week.

Speaking at the conference, Martin Kelleher said, “Despite a difficult trading environment, Centra has recorded a good sales performance. We will add 300 jobs to the Centra network in 2012 – 150 of which are new jobs through the opening of greenfield sites across Ireland – which means that together with our retail partners we will employ almost 15,000 people.”

“Our continued success can be put down to our unique offer to consumers in terms of value and the position our retailers fulfil at the heart of their local communities. Our retail partners have been quick to adapt to the budget conscious consumer, with initiatives such as rounded price points, multi-buys; combined with excellent bundle offers.”

At the conference an economic report by David McWilliams’ Economics Clinic on Centra’s contribution to the Irish economy in 2011 was also unveiled.

Said McWilliams; “We take our local stores, such as Centra, very much for granted. However, when you delve into the numbers behind these local, family owned enterprises and combine the number of stores within the Centra network, the contribution they make to Ireland Inc. is really significant. For example, the annual payroll for Centra in 2011 was almost €153 million. Centra’s employment of younger and older people is also above the national average, with 40% of staff under 25 years old and 9% over 50.”

The report also highlights that Centra retailers spent €15.9m on professional services and almost €40m on products sourced from suppliers, within their local community. In addition, Centra retailers contributed €715,000 to local GAA clubs and €1.4m to voluntary and community groups.

The 458 Centra stores across Ireland also purchased Irish fresh food to the value of €140 million, including €35 million worth of Irish meat and poultry, €27 million of Irish fruit and veg and €68 million of Irish dairy products.

Added McWilliams; “By anyone’s reckoning these are significant numbers. More and more of us are shopping locally to avoid spending money on petrol or to ensure we are only buying what we need, as we cook it, so there is no wastage. This can only be good for our economy as we move forward, with international studies confirming that 45c of every Euro spent with local companies, re-circulates back into the local economy. This is very significant for the Irish economy, as we claw our way out of our current issues.”

Centra remains committed to local employment and sourcing from Irish producers, purchasing over €1 billion of Irish goods, with 75% of all products sold in store produced or sourced in Ireland.