Markets/Ireland/News

Ireland news

14 February 2019
Troubled bakery chain Patisserie Valerie has been saved from collapse in a management buyout backed by Irish private equity firm, Causeway Capital Partners. Future secured for almost 100 stores Commenting on the deal, Patisserie Valerie CEO, Steve Francis said "The affection and loyalty for the brand among our customers and employees, and Causeway Capital’s enthusiasm and support for the b...
07 February 2019
Tesco has announced the appointment of Christine Heffernan as group communications director. She will take up the role on March 2019 and join the Executive Committee, replacing Jane Lawrie who leaves Tesco after 2 1/2 years in the role. Strong track record at Tesco Ireland Heffernan has most recently worked as Executive Director to Group CEO Dave Lewis. Prior to that she spent five years as...
05 February 2019
Convenience retailer Centra has announced sales of €1.63bn in 2018, an increase of 3.6% year-on-year. Centra also plans to open 25 new stores this year. 25 new stores and 80 revamps Centra, Ireland’s leading convenience retailer, plans to build on its strong sales results by opening 25 new stores throughout 2019, in addition to revamping a further 80 stores. The new stores and refurbishm...
24 January 2019
We look at the latest developments from Lidl and Aldi in Ireland. Discounters continue to gain market share The discounters are continuing to gain market share in Ireland with the latest Kantar data for the 12 weeks ending 30th December showing that Lidl and Aldi were the strongest performing grocery retailers in Ireland over the Christmas period. Sales value growth was 8.8% for Lidl and 4....
10 January 2019
Tesco has hailed 12 consecutive quarters of LFL growth and delivered robust Christmas figures in the UK. Headline LFL results   Q3: 13 weeks to 24 Nov Christmas: 6 weeks to 5 Jan UK +0.7 +2.2 ROI -0.2 +0.3 Booker +11.0 +6.7 UK & ROI +1.9 +2.0 ...
23 November 2018
Poundland appoints new trading director and finance director to complete its senior team. Trading director: Tim Bettley Tim Bettley will begin his new role at Poundland at the start of the new year. He joins from The Original Factory Shop where he has was commercial director since November 2015. Bettley has previously had senior roles at Morrisons and Peacocks; demonstrating his experience ...
20 November 2018
Retailing group BWG, the company that operates the SPAR, Londis and Mace chains in Ireland, has seen turnover rise 4.2% to €1.5bn in the year to 30 September.  All retail brands recorded positive growth Results from its majority owner, South Africa-based SPAR Group, show positive growth for all of BWG's retail brands. Londis sales increased by 4.9%, Mace by 4.4% and XL rose by 4.5%. Weather...
16 November 2018
SPAR South Africa's CEO, Graham O’Connor, has reported a growth in sales following the company's 2018 full year results. O'Connor said that the retailer's South African operations had benefited from  President Cyril Ramaphosa’s drive to encourage inward investment into the country. At a group level, SPAR South Africa said its turnover grew 5.8%, while operating profit rose 7.9%. Investment dri...
15 November 2018
Last week we brought together retailers, manufacturers and food-to-go specialists from across the UK and Europe at The Crystal in London to explore how this dynamic sector is developing and adapting to fast-changing consumer needs. Here’s are some of the things we learnt: 1.  Formats are changing fast – retailers need to evolve to make the most of the opportunity Food-to-go makes sense f...
01 November 2018
Poundland has filed results with Companies House for the 79 weeks from 28 March 2016 to 1 October 2017. Following its acquisition by Steinhoff, there has been a change in reporting date from March to September, and as a result the discounter has reported its latest results for the UK and Ireland over an 18 month period. Key financial results Sales: £2,246m Like-for-like sales: 2.7...