Irish convenience retailer Centra has posted record sales of €1.59 billion in 2016, a 3% jump from 2015.
This success establishes Centra as the market leader in Irish convenience, the company said.
The company attributed this growth to its 'Live Every Day' programme, which capitalises on the increasingly-popular 'wellness' trend among consumers by offering healthier convenient food lines, as well as innovative in-store experiences.
The trend has encouraged an 80% increase of salad box sales, nearly double the sales of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, and a 22% jump in water sales, driven by increased shelf space.
Water sales have grown by over five times that of carbonates in the last year.
Centra also introduced healthier baking ranges, a gourmet deli, and coffee offer, Frank and Honest. Hot beverage sales equalled over €5 million in 2016.
The new store design and experience won the convenience retailer Gold at the Association for Retail Environments Design Awards(A.R.E.) in Las Vegas.
Martin Kelleher, managing director of Centra, commented on its bumper year: "It is a further testament to the success of Centra’s unique retail model, whereby Centra stores are independently owned and operated by 450 local retailers across Ireland. Our committed retailers are the driving force behind the brand’s continued growth.
“As part of our strategy to redefine convenience, we have already invested €10 million in the introduction of a radical new Centra in-store experience. In 2017 we will continue to invest heavily to maintain our position as the leader in healthy convenience, refurbishing over 100 stores, adding 20 new stores to the Centra network and creating 460 new jobs as a result."
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up for ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
