Convenience retailer Centra said today its sales last year grew by over 15 per cent to €1.38 billion when compared with the previous year.
In a statement released at Centra's national conference, the chain also said that it planned to invest €65 million this year and create a further 1,000 jobs when opening 44 new stores, bringing overall employment in the chain to over 14,000.
Centra shops are backed by the Musgrave Group.
Donal Horgan, Managing Director of Musgrave Retail, said the 2007 results demonstrated the success of the group's business model. He said the group had opened 47 new stores last year with a further 82 outlets undergoing refurbishment or extension.
He added that 75 per cent of all products purchased by Musgrave on behalf of retailers in Centra, SuperValu, Daybreak and DayToday stores were either produced or manufactured in Ireland, representing €2.85 billion in purchases.