Franchise group SuperValu has reported sales of €2.2 billion last year, a 10 per cent increase helped by new store openings.
Donal Horgan, managing director of SuperValu, told delegates at the company's national conference in Killarney today that the sales performance last year was as a result of significant investment but added that a similar level of growth would be difficult to replicate this year. SuperValu is owned by the Musgrave group.
He said the sales results gave the company a 20 per cent share in the retail grocery market and that last year the company had created over 1,300 new jobs last year.
Mr Horgan said nine new outlets had been opened at an investment of €17.6 million, with a further €57.8 million invested in refurbishment projects in a further 36 shops.
Mr Horgan said that he expected a further €25 million to be invested in opening eight new stores. Total employment at the firm is expected to rise to over 13,000 in 2008, he said.
"Though operating in a more uncertain economic climate, we are confident that as a result of the focus on developing the brand and our offer to consumers, SuperValu is positioned to compete and to continue to develop its store network in 2008", he said.