3rd April 2014
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Michael Morgan, SuperValu Sales Director, Michael Smith, Smiths SuperValu and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu pictured at the opening of the new SuperValu Kinsale store. Pic: ProVision
Doors opened at the new SuperValu store in Kinsale today. The store, which is owned by local businessman, Michael Smith represents a total investment of €13 million and is set to create 35 new jobs, bringing the total employment at the store to 115.
The new 20,000 sq. ft. store located at The Glen, New Road, Kinsale will give the people of Kinsale a whole new shopping experience, as this store will boast a superb fresh food range, which includes expert butchers and fishmongers, an excellent fresh fruit and vegetable selection and a range of exclusive breads and cakes made by its own bakers in-store.
Chef Mark Collins will run the stores new kitchen, producing a wide range of freshly cooked soups, salads, lunch and evening meal ranges that will cater for the time pressed and discerning tastes of the people of Kinsale.
The store will also boast an olive bar with a wide range of olives and antipasta, in addition to a dedicated cheese counter which will include a wide range of continental, Irish and locally sourced cheeses.
‘The Bean Counter’, a coffee shop within the store, will allow shoppers to relax and enjoy the flavors of a barista style coffee. A full off-licence will offer a wide range of world wines, beers and spirits. Customers can also avail of the SuperValu online shopping service allowing customers to shop online and avail of a ‘click and collect’ or home delivery service.
Michael Smith, owner of SuperValu Kinsale, said; “I am proud to be opening this new bigger and better SuperValu store today. I am a 6th generation grocer. My family have been in the retail trade since 1857. My grandfather opened the first self-service store in Douglas, Cork in 1960. My wife and I opened our first SuperValu in Kinsale town in 2002. This store went from strength to strength and we had to make a decision to move to a bigger store to ensure we could continue to fully cater for our customers’ needs. However, I am delighted that we will continue to trade in the town with our new Centra store. This new store demonstrates our confidence in the local economy and our commitment to the community of Kinsale. I am proud that we have the opportunity to invest locally, employ local people and support local farmers and producers, which will add to the overall shopping experience for our customers.”
He continued “We are delighted to be able to offer the people of Kinsale an extensive range of quality produce at the best possible value. As well as our fresh food offering and in-store expertise, our customers will be able to avail of additional services such as our online delivery, ATM and parking for over 200 cars, with an option of basement car parking for wet days.”
Commenting on the announcement, Martin Kelleher, SuperValu Managing Director said; “We are delighted to see stores grow and expand, allowing retailers to offer shoppers excellent shopping facilities locally. This significant investment from Michael Smith is a demonstration of SuperValu and its retailers’ commitment to contributing to building vibrant local communities. Customers can look forward to excellent customer service, top quality fresh food at exceptional value and a commitment to Irish and local sourcing.”
SuperValu serves over 2.6million customers every week and now has 223 stores nationwide. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible and purchases almost €2 billion worth of goods from Irish suppliers which help to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.
