This year, Checkout commemorates its 40th anniversary under its current ownership, and with this in mind, every week, Retail Intelligence is going to ‘reel in the years’ and publish a story from our extensive archives. This article from October 1974 discusses the opening of Value Centre's thirteenth Cash & Carry store in Clonmel.
With the opening of its new Cash & Carry at King Street, Clonmel on 30th September, Value Centre now operates 13 Cash & Carries throughout Ireland. Value Centre is part of the Food Division of the Brooks Waterson Group.
Clonmel Value Centre has a floor space of 20,000 square feet, which makes it one of the largest Cash & Carries in the country. It incorporates the latest thinking in design, layout and the range of goods carried.
One example of this is the spacious, well-equipped walk-in cold room for provisions. Another example is the wide range of non-food items carried, from toys and household hardware to electrical goods, and wines and spirits for the licensed trade. There are, of course, extensive ranges of foodstuffs for retail and catering outlets.
The hours of opening are geared to facilitate all traders in the Clonmel area. On Mondays and Fridays, Value Centre is open from 9am to 6pm. The premises will be closed for lunch from 12.45 to 2pm. A spacious car park is provided right alongside.
Cash & Carry trading has shown considerable growth in Ireland over the past few years and there are now about 100 depots (or premises) with an estimated turnover of in excess of £35 million. The buoyant outlook for the business is reflected in the number of new depots being opened or at the planning stage. Over the past year, four new depots were opened, while many existing depots were extended and modernised. Several new openings in 1975 are known to be on the drawing board.
This buoyancy is not unique to Ireland. In Britain, Cash & Carry turnover grew at 28% annually between 1969 and 1972. Since then, however, the growth has slowed in line with the slowing down of the business generally. Nevertheless, turnover there is currently estimated at £980 million on an annual basis.
All things look bright for Clonmel Value Centre – and for the local traders who have this modern and economic facility at their service.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine
