Centra to open 20 new stores and create nearly 500 jobs in Ireland in 2017

Centra plan to invest €20 million in the Centra network in the coming year.

Centra have announced plans to create 460 new jobs and to open 20 new stores throughout Ireland as part of a €20 million investment in the Centra network in 2017. Having recorded sales of €1.59 billion in 2016, a record and a 3% increase on the previous year’s performance, Centra will expand the amount of stores in Ireland to almost 500 in the coming year, creating jobs throughout the country in the process. Centra already employs 11,000 people in Ireland. As well as opening new stores and creating new jobs, Centra ranges will also undergo a major transformation with the introduction of new healthier bakery ranges and a gourmet deli, as well as a new coffee offering, Frank and Honest. Commenting on the investment, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, said: “Centra’s performance in 2016, reaching record sales of €1.59 billion, underlines our position as the market leader in Irish convenience retail. “The fact that our sales figures have increased by 3% is reflective of our consumers’ positive response to our efforts in providing them with a new level of convenience shopping. It is a further testament to the success of Centra’s unique retail model, whereby Centra stores are independently owned and operated by 450 local retailers across Ireland. Our committed retailers are the driving force behind the brand’s continued growth.” “As part of our strategy to redefine convenience, we have already invested €10 million in the introduction of a radical new Centra in-store experience,” Kelleher added. “In 2017 we will continue to invest heavily to maintain our position as the leader in healthy convenience, refurbishing over 100 stores, adding 20 new stores to the Centra network and creating 460 new jobs as a result.”