Retail group Musgrave which runs the SuperValu and Centra chains today reported pre tax profits of euro 33.2 million for the year 2000 on sales euro 2 billion.
Mr Seamus Scally, managing director of Musgraves, indicated that trading in the current year was meeting expectations, and he was confident of a further strong operating performance in the year 2001.
Profits rose by 3.2 per cent in 1999 reflecting the effect of higher interest costs as a result of the group’s investment in British retailer Budgens in August 2000.
Commenting on the group's investment in Budgens, Mr Mackeown said the relationship between the management teams had developed "very effectively indeed."
He added: "I remain absolutely convinced the alliance between Musgrave Group and Budgens plc will deliver significant benefits for both companies in the years ahead."
Group chairman Mr Hugh Mackeown said: "The Group's businesses in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Spain turned in solid results for the year 2000. Sales in the Republic of Ireland grew by 17 per cent against a background of an increasingly hostile competitive environment."
Independent retailers serviced by the Musgrave Group now account for 24 per cent of the retail grocery market in the Republic.