BWG reports €1.6bn turnover for 2004
Food retail and distribution firm, BWG Holdings Ltd, whose businesses include the SPAR and Mace franchises for the Republic of Ireland and Appleby Westward and the Bargain Booze franchise in the UK, has reported continued growth for 2004.
The group's turnover increased to €1.618m from €1.455m in 2003, on a like for like basis.
Sales increased by 11% for approaching the €1bn mark.
Its chain of supermarkets, EUROSPAR, extended its outlets to 27.
The group's operating profit climbed to €48.7m from €36.2m in 2003, on a like for like basis.
Commenting on these results Mr Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive of BWG Group Ltd., said: "2004 was another year of continued progress for BWG across its food retail and distribution businesses.
"Approaching SPAR’s €1bn sales target ahead of plan is testimony to the robustness of our customer proposition, quality of our staff, support of our independent retail partners across the country and strength of our convenience brand in local communities.”
BWG opened 57 new convenience stores taking the total number of SPAR and Mace outlets to 547, representing a total investment of €200m over the past two years.
More than 1,200 new full and part-time jobs have been created across Ireland as a result.
In addition, the group recently completed a €2.5m investment in a new Value Centre Cash & Carry depot in Wexford.
The firm will add 35 new stores across the SPAR network, creating 600 new jobs this year, costing €100m.
