Centra plans to open 20 new stores in Ireland in 2024, creating 500 new jobs, it was announced today.
This expansion, which represents an investment of €27 million, will see 20 new stores added and a revamp carried out in 40 existing stores.
Centra hopes to elevate the customer experience while working towards making its brand more sustainable.
The move will see Centra surpass 500 stores nationwide for the first time.
There are currently 496 Centra stores in Ireland.
The retailer had a record €2.1 billion in earnings in 2023, due, in part, to its expanded store footprint.
‘Highest Standards’
The refurbishment plans will build on an investment of up to €100 million made over the past five years, to revamp and refresh 355 stores.
Speaking on the expansion, the managing director of Centra Ireland, Ian Allen, said, “We are continuing to invest in creating innovative and more convenient experiences for our customers, giving them the solution they want for every occasion, whether that is on-the-go breakfast and lunch, or dinner for tonight.”
Allen continued, “Our Centra retailers are at the heart of every community in Ireland, and I want to pay tribute to them for continuing to deliver to the highest standards of convenience retailing and taking care of our communities in what remains a very difficult trading environment, with the cumulative cost of business continuing to rise across multiple areas.”
Sustainability
As well as improving convenience for customers, Centra is embarking on a plan to improve its sustainability credentials.
In the 12 months following the launch of the Musgrave Sustainability Fund, in summer 2022, the retailer achieved its target of 12% carbon reduction across the brand.
Over the past two years, a total investment of €23 million has been allocated to enhancing sustainability upgrades in Centra stores, including a significant investment in the upcoming launch of the deposit return scheme across 321 Centra stores.
