Londis and Budgens retailers have welcomed a new Smartsavings package, to help them benefit from better deals on a wide range of operating costs.

The service, introduced by Budgens and Londis working with Smartsavings to help its partners benefit from their collective scale, will make it easier for retailers to manage rising operating costs in the tough retail climate.

Kash Jaffar, who owns stores under both the Budgens and Londis brands commented, “Rising costs are a significant challenge in our business so it’s brilliant that Londis and Budgens retailers both have access to this service. Whether you have one business, or many, I have no doubt that money can be saved across these areas. I’m speaking with Smartsavings to see where I can save money and will definitely be taking advantage of this service”.

Julie Wirth, Finance Director for Budgens and Londis added: “With increased pressure to remain competitive in the retail market and with value remaining critical to shoppers in these tough economic times, managing operating costs is key to being successful in retail. We have worked with our retailers to develop the Smartsavings offer which is a great solution to help our retailers benefit from the economies of scale of our network.”

Some of services available under Smartsavings include energy contracts, waste management, telecoms, cash collections, washroom services, pest control, balers, barrier mats, washroom services and age testing on sales of alcohol and tobacco,.

Richard Beale Managing Director of Brightsourcing which delivers the Smartsavings solution comments, “We are delighted to be expanding the Smartsavings scheme to all Budgens and Londis retailers. Smartsavings saves time and money by providing a one-stop shop of excellent value deals covering all major merchandise expenditures. It’s totally free to use plus retailers can choose which services they need”.

The performance of the deals will be reviewed with retailer representatives for both Budgens and Londis through retailer cost forums, ensuring retailers are benefitting from the best deals possible.

To sign-up and to access deals, Budgens and Londis retailers should visit www.smartsavings.co.uk/musgrave.

SuperValu, Ireland’s leading community supermarket network, today announced that the brand recorded retail sales of €2.1 billion in 2012.

Said Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu; “This is a very good performance, which is ahead of the overall market. This was achieved by delivering value to shoppers through price reductions, promotions and our extensive SuperValu own brand range; the unrivalled quality of our Irish produce which shoppers can really trust; our place in the community and our commitment to deliver the best fresh food offer in the market, with ranges such as ‘Prepared by our Butcher’.”

Added Kelleher: “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.  During 2013, we hope to add a further 300 new jobs, as we are set to open three new stores, and extend and refurbish a further 40, as part of a €20 million investment programme by our retail partners.”

160 of these positions will be created with the opening of two greenfield sites, located in Celbridge, Co. Kildare and Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare.

During 2012, SuperValu invested €290 million in delivering value to today’s budget conscious shopper, 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, allowing them to offer their shoppers exceptional local fresh produce, which they cannot get anywhere else.  Stores also spent over €15.7 million on local professional services such as accountancy, €75 million on sourcing from local suppliers and donated over €2.8 million to local voluntary and community groups.