Supervalu to add 400 jobs in 2011

Independent supermarket network Supervalu is planning to add 400 new jobs this year as it opens two new stores and refurbishes existing premises.

The company will open the additional stores at Mountmellick, Co Laois and Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim.

It is also planning to extend and refurbish 34 existing stores as part of a €25 million investment.

Managing director Martin Kelleher told the group's national conference in Killarney that sales reached €2.1 billion in 2010, and market share had grown from 19.9 per cent at the end of last year to 20.2 per cent.

"The trading environment in 2011 continues to be extremely difficult, but we are confident we can continue to adapt our offer in response to the budget conscious consumer," he said.

"We are ideally placed to achieve this as our retail partners own their stores; enabling them to tailor their offer to the communities they serve. We will also be looking to expand via our new stores opening, extension and refurbishment to existing stores and by exploring opportunities with the right retailers who are keen to switch to our brand.”

Supervalu currently has 192 stores throughout Ireland and employs about 15,000 people.