November08Costcutter
Annual Conference
Great Year for Barry Group which included the revamp of 25 stores and the development of a number of greenfield sites. 32 new stores will join the group by the end of this year, bringing the total number of Costcutter stores in Ireland to over 135. The target for 2008 is Pictured are: Niall Hartnett, Human Resources/Logistics the opening of 22 Director, Barry Group; John McAllen, Commercial Director, new stores, leadBarry Group; Pat Falvey; Ray O'Driscoll, Finance Director, ing to the creBarry Group; Edwina Lucey, Sales Director, General ation of 300 jobs. Wholesale Division, Barry Group; Marty Whelan, MC; and Jim Barry Group Barry, Managing Director, Barry. Group. operates from a Europe, Australia, the US and New 125,000 square feet state-of-the-art Zealand by logging onto central distribution centre in Mallow, www.theirishhamperstore.ie. and employs in excess of 230 staff. Barry Group is part of the Stonehouse Group, as well as being part of Costcutter Annual Conference Other Speakers Aontas, a buying alliance between took place recently in Athlone, with 230 In total, seven speakers spoke on sevStonehouse and Superquinn. delegates attending this year’s event, en areas or pillars which are imporCelebrating a number of innovawhich was themed ‘Retailing In tant in order to improve business pertions in 2008 Barry Group announced Turbulent Times’. formance. These were: that it is soon to launch the Irish Speaking at the conference, Jim 1. Our offering Hamper Store. Offering a wide range Barry, Managing Director of Barry 2. Our Consumer of luxury products sourced direct from Group, who operate the Costcutter 3. Finance suppliers from around the world, it and Quik Pick brands in Ireland, 4. Community will take the hassle out of shopping reported a turnover of €691m in 2008. 5. People for that perfect gift. The hampers are The Managing Director’s address 6. Change elegantly packaged and can be delivfocused on the challenges and oppor7. Execution ered to all destinations in Ireland, tunities in the marketplace for wholesalers and retailers alike. John McAllen, Commercial “Our objective is to increase Director, Barry Group, spoke our scale to better respond to about how focusing on your offermarket change,” he said. “We ing will improve your business plan to achieve this through a performance. According to combination of organic McAllen, the Barry Group’s congrowth, acquisition and the sumer offering can be defined as identification of additional follows: “Making available a bunopportunities in the market.” dle of benefits to meet the demands and expectations of our consumers”. He advised retailers Massive to review their offering regularly, Investment avail of Category Management The combined investment in Plans, know their bottom and top 2008 by Barry Group and its retailers was over €25m, Barry Group MD, Jim Barry addresses the Conference. selling lines and implement, as a
Costcutter’s Annual Conference, entitled ‘Retailing In Turbulent Times’, saw the Barry Group reporting turnover of €691m in 2008.
The
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