One of the best-known and longest established retail businesses in Co. Laois, Mulhall’s SuperValu is reaping the benefits of a major revamp last year.
Part of the fabric of Portlaoise and surrounding areas since 1931 when it was established as a family butcher, and employing 90 people, the store in Lyster Square embarked on a new chapter in its history in March 2023 following a €400,000 investment. The revamp included a significant investment in sustainable equipment and solar installation.
As a result, the new-look Mulhall’s SuperValu has experienced a surge in business thanks to its extended range of top-quality produce, including a new Mulhall’s meat counter, Mulhall’s bakery and Mulhall’s fresh fruit and vegetable areas. The famed Mulhall’s Meats brand, which is now in its 93rd year, features at the new meat counter. The Mulhall’s Meats butcher team are all full members of the Craft Butchers of Ireland and together have over 90 years of loyal service at Mulhall’s.
With supporting local being of key importance to the Mulhall’s team, the store brings exclusive offerings to customers across the Taste of Local range, which includes products sourced directly from up-and-coming producers within the region.
Committed to sustainability, the family business went to great lengths to be as environmentally conscious as possible in designing the new-look store. An investment of €200,000 in sustainability-related improvements included state-of-the-art fridges and freezers, solar panels on the roof as well as LED light fixtures within the store’s innovative design. These measures have led to a dramatic reduction in energy consumption across the premises.
“The revamp has been a game-changer for us. The look and feel of the shop have changed immeasurably. The feedback from our customers has been very positive, leading to increased business and footfall,” Mulhall’s SuperValu co-owner Ger Mulhall enthuses.
“The store is 10,000 sq. ft., which is relatively small for a SuperValu, so maximising the space we have was essential. We rebranded Mulhall Meats which is a shop within a shop, and can’t believe how successful it has been. Our ‘Prepare By Our Butcher’ range has taken off in a big way, having grown from zero. We’ve also relocated our fish counter and increased our offering there. We’re delighted to offer our customers a bigger and better range of premium produce, including freshly baked goods, across the board.
“Furthermore, we’ve already got a good return on the newly-installed solar panels and refrigeration. We believe in enhancing local communities by caring for our environment, so we are particularly proud of the dedicated eco-friendly technologies throughout the new store.”
Ger is full of praise for Mulhall’s SuperValu’s 90-strong team, which includes 20 who are employed in Mulhall’s Restaurant upstairs which is renowned for its delicious breakfasts and carvery. Aaron Archbold has been store manager for the past eight years. Sean Dunne runs Mulhall Meats, Margaret Toman is deli manager, while Robert Rowan is fruit and veg manager.
“Our people are our greatest asset. I cannot stress that enough. They enjoy a wonderful relationship with our customers whose support we are extremely grateful for,” Ger adds.
“Our meat and deli counters are our two biggest selling points. Prior to Sean Dunne, John Brennan managed Mulhall Meats for 25 years and we’re delighted to still have him on our books. Our other butcher, Joe Lynch, is 40 years with us. Between the three of them, they have 90-plus years’ experience. That counts for a lot.
“Our meat and deli are top-class. It’s something we pride ourselves on. My mother Ursula started the first deli in Portlaoise in the early 1990s and it continues to grow. Our hero products are our Mulhall Meats range, including our prepared honey roast ham, Mulhall’s coleslaw and our own bakery products. We also have an off-licence and the full range of groceries.”
Quality, freshness and value are the hallmarks of Mulhall’s SuperValu which is independently owned and has been a longstanding supporter of the local community. The store has sponsored Ballyroan GAA club for many years. It also supports the local St Vincent de Paul, Portlaoise Tidy Towns – who took gold in the ‘Large Town’ category of the 2023 National SuperValu Tidy Towns competition – and other community initiatives. SuperValu also sponsors the GAA Football All-Ireland Championships at national level.
The Mulhall name has been synonymous with retail in Portlaoise for over 90 years. The family business was founded in 1931 by Ned Mulhall as a butcher shop at 96 Main Street. Ned ran a thriving business until his untimely death in 1974. Encouraged by his father John, co-owner Seamus Mulhall bought the business a year later and, along with his wife Ursula, continued the tradition of providing top quality fresh meats.
In 1983, Seamus and Ursula progressed the business by moving to its current location at the Kellyville Centre which then sat beside the former Quinnsworth supermarket. A decade later, Mulhall’s teamed up with Centra and its newly-opened deli became an instant success. Seamus and Ursula’s son Ger rejoined the business in 2010 when it was trading as a Londis store. Mulhall’s came under the SuperValu umbrella in 2013 and operated hand-in-hand with Mulhall Meats next door before it was incorporated into the new store design.
As Mulhall’s SuperValu continues to go from strength to strength, the Mulhall family would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers and suppliers for their support and loyalty, as well as their fantastic team for their hard work, dedication and expertise. Opening hours are 7.30am to 9pm Monday-Saturday and 8am to 7pm on Sundays.
Mulhall’s SuperValu
Kellyville Centre,
Lyster Square,
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois,
R32 Y429.
Telephone: 057 862 1044
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 3 No 1, Summer 2024
