SPAR aims to increase wine sales by 40% by 2008
SPAR Ireland today announced that it aims to increase wine sales in its stores by 40% during the next two years bringing total retail wine sales to more than €50m by 2008.
The news came as SPAR Ireland announced a partnership with leading food and wine expert Tom Doorley to expand the wine offer throughout SPAR and EUROSPAR stores.
The partnership will see Doorley provide educational information, guides, in-store information, recommendations and in-store samplings as well as introducing new wine ranges in the coming months.
Annualised wine retail sales at SPAR have now reached €36m across its three store formats, representing 5.5 million bottles of wine.
The company said that wine sales are currently up 20% on this time last year and hopes to continue this rate of growth over the next two years. The total wine market in Ireland is estimated to be worth more than €60 m in retail sales, with SPAR Ireland representing 6.5% of the market.
“Wine consumption in Ireland is currently running at over 17 litres per person per year and current trends point to an increase in ‘at home’ entertaining over the next few years,” said Conor Whelan, managing director of SPAR Ireland.
“Our ambitious growth targets reflect these trends and we are confident that, along with our independent retailers, we can secure a greater percentage of the take-home wine market in Ireland.”
“Partnering with Tom Doorley allows us to add even more value and quality to our wine offer. Tom’s approach to wine is refreshing and will resonate with customers – he is keen on broadening the appeal of wine, making it accessible and helping consumers get better quality wines at great prices.
“We will work closely with Tom, as well as the SPAR International network, to develop and expand the range with the aim of continuously developing our convenience offer in Ireland. ”
Spar Ireland represents a chain of more than 440 retail outlets operating the SPAR, EuroSPAR and SPAR Express formats.
