Barry revenues up 11%

Revenues at the Mallow-based Barry wholesale and food distribution group rose by 11 per cent to €632 million in the year to the end of January 2007, delegates at its annual conference were told in Cork this weekend.

Barry operates the Costcutter and Quik Pick convenience store brands and says it plans to open 35 new stores in 2008.

This will add 500 jobs to the company's total.

Jim Barry, the group's managing director, said it was on target to add 36 stores to its network this year, which will bring Costcutter's total to 121.

"We plan to achieve this through a mix of organic growth, acquisition and the identification of additional opportunities in the market," Mr Barry said at the annual Costcutter conference.

Barry's retailers have invested €60 million this year in revamping 22 shops and opening a number of greenfield sites. The wholesale operation operates from a 125,000 sq ft central distribution centre in Mallow in Cork and employs 230 staff. This division of the company had revenues of €190 million in the year to January 31st.

The Barry Group provides a central billing facility to more than 220 affiliated symbol stores in the Republic.

Barry Group is part of the Stonehouse Group - a group formed by independent wholesalers to enable its members to receive the best possible deal from suppliers. It is also part of Aontas, a buying alliance between Stonehouse and Superquinn.