Musgrave Plans Catering Cash And Carry

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The company’s chief executive, Chris Martin, said the group’s first cash and carry was due to open in Ballymun in north Dublin at the start of September, and the firm planned to open further outlets around the country over the next two years.

Martin said the cash and carry outlets would supply food and catering equipment to restaurants, contract caterers, hotels and pubs throughout Ireland. ‘‘It is a massive market,�? he said.

The outlets will be operated by Musgrave Wholesale Service (MWS), a unit within the group that focuses on the food service market. Last year, MWS bought the Belfast-based Variety Foods as well as C&R Frozen Foods.‘‘The Ballymun outlet represents a significant investment from Musgrave, in the region of a couple of million euro,�? said Martin.

‘‘We will then look at opening more down the line, certainly, that is the plan at the moment. The entire market in Ireland is worth about €3.5 billion.�? Martin said the cash and carry concept was a logical progression for the group, which has been supplying restaurants and hotels for a number of years. He said it would allow it to offer a better service to more clients.

Musgrave, which owns the Centra and SuperValu franchise, last week revealed that it made a pre-tax profit of €72.5 million in 2005, an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year.