Centra has today announced plans to open 30 new stores and revamp a further 100, creating a total of 400 new jobs as part of a €30 million investment.

The Irish retailer says the expansion forms part of Centra’s ongoing transformation as the retailer’s healthy convenience offering continues to grow following its brand repositioning – Live Every Day – two years ago.

Since repositioning the Centra brand in 2016, the company has adopted a healthier, more innovative product offering and reshaped the in-store experience to encourage shoppers to opt for healthier choices. In the past year alone, sales of its Grab & Go healthy sandwich range rose sharply by 24%, impulse water purchases were also up 10% on the previous year, and sales of salad boxes rose to almost €2 million.

As part of its growth strategy, Centra continues to respond to customers’ demand for healthy convenience through the introduction of innovative digital solutions. These include the Beat the Queue app, which allows busy lunch-break shoppers to pre-order sandwiches and avoid waiting. The Beat the Queue service will be introduced to over 100 stores in 2018.

Managing Director of Centra, Martin Kelleher said, "We are very happy with our performance in 2017 in what is an extremely competitive market. Our decision to reposition Centra in response to changing consumer trends, with customers increasingly choosing healthy options, has paid dividends. Similarly, a more discerning taste for coffee has enabled us to double sales through the introduction of our gourmet coffee brand Frank and Honest."

Source: www.businessworld.ie