Tesco Ireland has announced plans to spend €80 million this year on eight new store openings, extensive store refit and refurbishment upgrade programmes, and ongoing maintenance of its growing property portfolio. This significant expenditure figure underpins Tesco’s continued strong commitment to the Irish retail market. The investment will be used to open eight new Express stores, carry out significant upgrade projects for 50 stores, and for maintenance across the store network.
The details of the investment come as the retailer is set to open its 167th store on Scholarstown Road, at Two Oaks, Rathfarnham, in South Dublin on 7th September. The Two Oaks Express store spans almost 2,000 square feet, and will be led by Store Manager Stephen McGrane and a team of 12 colleagues. The store is based in a busy residential area, ideally suited to customers looking for convenience and choice within minutes of where they live and work.
In addition to Two Oaks in Rathfarnham, three more Express stores will open in Dublin by the end of the year, as well as other stores in Cork and Waterford. These new stores will create over 100 jobs in local communities, as well as internal role transfers for existing colleagues, and will also open up new management and career opportunities.
Tesco Ireland Chief Operating Officer, Geoff Byrne, says the strong pipeline of store openings and refurbishments planned spells good news for customers.
“We have an ambitious development strategy for the business and are very excited to be expanding our Tesco Express model. We remain as committed as ever to delivering a rewarding shopping experience for our customers, which offers real value.
Our Two Oaks store is the first of eight new stores we plan to open this year. Our Tesco Express model is proving very successful in urban settings and reflects evolving consumer demand for greater convenient shopping opportunities in high footfall areas.”
The retailer recently rolled out its Clubcard Prices offering to Express format stores, which is proving to be popular with convenience customers. Through Clubcard, of which there are over one million members, customers have access to exclusive deals on everything from everyday staples to treats, while also being rewarded with Clubcard points.
In June, Tesco announced a campaign of price cuts for customers, reducing the prices on more than 700 products by an average of 10%. Tesco’s Price Cuts are a key part of its commitment to give customers great value on their shopping and complements other value offerings such as Aldi Price Match and Clubcard Prices.
With 166 stores nationwide, Tesco employs over 13,000 people in cities and towns around Ireland, supporting almost 45,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Tesco is the single largest retailer purchaser of Irish food and drink in the world, buying €1.6 billion a year, more than any other single country in the European Union.
