Centra boss Martin Kelleher said the chain, supplied by Musgrave, plans to open 20 new stores this year to tap growing sales. Sales increased 4% to €1.7bn in 2019 as it navigated last year’s hard Brexit deadlines, having invested millions in refurbishing stores and refocusing to sell healthier product ranges, Mr Kelleher said. On Brexit, he said Centra had managed sterling’s fluctuations and had planned well for last year’s hard Brexit deadlines, in March and October. But Mr Kelleher said that the eventual trade deal between the UK and the EU could still have effects on retailing in Ireland. “At the least, the ticking time bomb that was there has passed,” Mr Kelleher added.

Source: Irish Examiner February 02, 2020 21:00 UTC