Carry Out projects sales of €75m

The company behind the Carry Out off-licence franchise is on target to hit a turnover of €75 million this year, it said yesterday.

Galvins Wholesale, which operates the specialist franchise, said yesterday it had concluded deals that will see it add 10 stores to the brand in Cork.

O'Sullivan Off-Licences, which has four existing stores in Cork and is planning two more, will convert all its stores to the Carry Out brand, it said.

The Cork-based Rebel Bar Group has done a similar deal that will see it convert two existing outlets to the brand and operate two proposed new stores under the Carry Out flag.

Cork-based Galvins Wholesale said yesterday it was projecting sales of €75 million for 2006.

Accounts for Galvins Wholesale Distribution for the 12 months ended March 31st, 2005 show that the business had total assets of €2.27 million. Shareholder's funds showed a deficit of €130,346.

The group, which is based in Bessboro Business Park in the Blackrock area of the city, says Carry Out is the biggest specialist off-licence chain in the Republic.

The addition of 10 new stores to the brand will bring the total to 70. Carry Out has locations in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Roscommon and other centres.

Of the projected 70 stores, 16 will be located in Cork. Galvins either owns the outlets or operates them as franchises.

Commenting on yesterday's announcement, Galvins managing director, Tom Desmond, said that when it launched the brand in 2003, it intended to become the leading off-licence brand in the State.

"This announcement today means that we have achieved this position in less than three years," he said.

Galvins operates its wholesale and drinks distribution from a newly built 12,000sq m premises in Blackrock. It employs 120 people.

Dave O'Sullivan of O'Sullivan Off-Licences said the switch to the Carry Out brand would ensure that the business would benefit from a high level of marketing and support.

Tom Scriven of the Rebel Bar Group said the move would position the off-trade element of the business to cash in on continued growth in this sector.

Recent consumer trends and market research show that Irish people are increasingly drinking at home and going to pubs less. At the same time, wine is steadily taking a larger share of the market at the expense of beer.

Barry Galvin founded the Galvins business 38 years ago when he opened his first off-licence in Cork city centre. Two of the group's best-known stores are located at Lancaster Quay and Bandon Road in Cork.