BWG, the distribution operation of the Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers' Group, has almost doubled its chain of Mace franchised convenience stores with the acquisition of the Mace franchise in Munster. No consideration has been disclosed.

The deal with the Cork-based company Vantage Wholesale adds a further 44 Mace stores to BWG's existing 50 stores in Leinster where it already holds the Mace franchise. The deal with Vantage - which is 75 per cent-owned by Punch Holdings and 25 per cent cent by McCarrick Brothers of Athlone, Co Westmeath - also includes the franchise for Swift stores, which currently includes 12 outlets.

The purchase of the Mace franchise in Munster and the Swift franchise will cement BWG's position as one of the biggest operator of franchised stores in the State. BWG - which has sales of £1.1 billion (€1.4 billion) in Ireland and Britain between its cash and carry and convenience stores operations - also has 334 Spar outlets in the Republic, while its Haslett subsidiary in Northern Ireland services 184 Mace stores, 44 Nearbuy smaller stores, as well as 16 Holmes cash and carry outlets.