SuperValu and its retailers have joined forces in a £105 million joint development programme in their stores. The money, which will also be invested in the Centra stores, will be spent on store extensions and refurbishments.

Between them, SuperValu and Centra have a 460-strong chain of independent stores trading around the country.

Speaking in Cork yesterday, SuperValu Centra Distribution's chief executive Mr Eoin McGettigan said the monies would be spent over the next 18 months at 70 SuperValu and 60 Centra stores.

Mr McGettigan said it underlined the confidence of the independent sector and the progressive outlook of the owners.

The stores are operated by independent retailers but are branded and supplied by Musgrave, Ireland's largest food and grocery distributor.

Mr McGettigan said the £35 million which Musgrave was investing was partly accounted for by investments in Wellworth's and a chill and fresh food warehousing distribution extension, which was officially opened by the Taoiseach Mr Ahern in Cork yesterday. That facility cost £16 million. "Establishing the chill operation was a huge project and puts SuperValu and Centra independent store owners at least a couple of years ahead of every other operation in this market place, including the British multiples," Mr McGettigan said.