SuperValu continued its expansion in the Irish retail market today with the opening of a new 20,000 sq foot store in Kinsale, Co Cork.
The store, which is owned by local businessman Michael Smith, represents a total investment of €13 million and is set to create 35 new jobs, bringing the total employment at the store to 115.
He said the new store will boast an olive bar with a wide range of olives and antipasti, in addition to a dedicated cheese counter which will include a wide range of continental, Irish and locally sourced cheeses. In-store chef Mark Collins will run the stores new kitchen, producing a wide range of freshly cooked soups, salads, lunch and evening meal ranges.
Mr Smith, a 6th generation grocer, said he was proud to be opening a new “bigger and better” SuperValu store.
“My family have been in the retail trade since 1857. My grandfather opened the first self-service store in Douglas, Cork in 1960.”
Aldi also opened a new store today, creating 20 new jobs in Dungarvan. The shop will bring the total number of Aldi stores in Ireland to 107 .
Aldi has seen its sales in the Republic jump by more than 20 per cent over the 12 weeks to the middle of February.
Recent figures from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel show SuperValu is now the State’s Ireland’s second largest grocer after Tesco. SuperValu now accounts for 25.3 per cent of Irish shoppers’ grocery market spend, just 1.1 percentage points behind Tesco.
