Convenience store chain Centra has announced a significant expansion plan of its store network in Ireland for 2024. 

The retailer will invest €27m to facilitate the opening of 20 new stores and the creation of 500 new jobs nationwide.  

Centra will also renovate 40 existing Centra stores to improve the customer experience and advance its sustainability efforts. 

The refurbishment programme will continue Centra's dedication to excellence, building on an ongoing €100m investment since 2019 which has seen the revamp of 355 stores.  

The brand now has 496 stores across Ireland and the upcoming investment is set to propel the count beyond 500. 

In 2023, Centra achieved a record-breaking performance with sales reaching €2.1bn, driven by strong sales in core categories, particularly in on-the-go breakfast and lunch options, convenience meals and its Frank and Honest coffee brand.  

Ready meals sales rose by 17%, and the own brand range experienced a 12% uplift during the year.  

Centra managing director Ian Allen said: “Centra is Ireland’s leader in convenience retail, continuously evolving our offering in order to meet customer needs and stay ahead of the market.  

“We are continuing to invest in creating innovative and more convenient experiences for our customers, giving them the solution they want for every occasion, whether that is on-the-go breakfast and lunch, or dinner for tonight.  

“Our Centra retailers are at the heart of every community in Ireland, and I want to pay tribute to them for continuing to deliver to the highest standards of convenience retailing and taking caring of our communities in what remains a very difficult trading environment, with the cumulative cost of business continuing to rise across multiple areas.”