Centra, Abtran announce over 500 jobs across Ireland

Centra has reported record sales of €1.54 billion for 2015 as it announced the creation of up to 480 new jobs as part of a €16 million investment that will see 16 new stores opening across Ireland.

Separately, Abtran, a company which provides customer and business process management services, said is to create 130 jobs in Cork after being awarded a new contract by Sky Ireland.

Centra currently employs about 11,000 people across 460 stores nationwide and claims to serve over three million customers per week.

The company said turnover rose 1.6 per cent versus the €1.5 billion seen in 2014 as it recorded a €6 million rise in sales of products under its ‘Live Well’ brand, which launched in July.

"2015 marked another successful year for Centra as leaders in the convenience market, with sales reaching €1.54 billion. We are delighted to announce that our sales figures show a 1.6 per cent growth on the previous year. This is testament to our 460 local retailers nationwide whose hard work ensures that Centra continues to lead the market in terms of value, choice and quality," said managing director Martin Kelleher.

In Cork, Abtran said it had been awarded a new contract to suppport Sky’s customer service operations.

Abtran currently employs over 2,000 people in Dublin and Cork. Established in 1997, the company recently signed an investment deal with private equity fund Carlyle Cardinal Ireland.