The Londis convenience store network is in line for an €8 million upgrade of 40 of its outlets that it hopes will boost sales by 10 per cent.

This is the first major investment in the brand since it was acquired last year for €23 million by BWG, the owner of Spar and Mace.

The money will be used to redesign 17 stores this year while a further 23 stores will get new deli and coffee areas. The investment includes the rollout of Londis’s new Bia Blas deli concept, as well as Seattle’s Best and Insomnia coffee outlets. BWG said it will invest in the remaining 110 Londis stores here.

The redesigns are aimed at bringing Londis stores into line with current market trends that have seen an upsurge in demand for fresh foods, bakery, grocery and butchery items. Most Irish retailers are investing heavily in these areas, including Dunnes Stores.

The new Londis model has been piloted at its stores in Milltown, Co Kerry, and on O’Connell Street in Dublin. Managing director of BWG Foods Willie O’Byrne said the redesigns should see a “minimum” boost of 10 per cent in the turnover of the independently-operated stores.

“We believe we have developed a new store design that will allow Londis retailers to maximise opportunities in a strengthened Irish economy,” he said. “Our two [pilot] stores have already reported very positive performance uplifts since implementing the design.”