A NEW RETAIL strategy by Irish-owned company MACE aims to see 1,200 new jobs in place by 2016.

The company said today that its new retail strategy targets 100 new stores, and will see a focus on Irish suppliers as it works on a 20 per cent growth in MACE own-brand products. MACE is Ireland’s oldest convenience brand, and opened its first store in 1960. It currently has 240 stores across the country.

MACE said it plans to add 100 new stores to its network by 2016, an expansion which will see retail turnover at the group increase by 20 per cent.

The new plans were unveiled at the MACE convention at the Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, Co Wicklow. According to Willie O’Byrne, Managing Director of BWG Foods, operators of MACE:

Our figures show that MACE is outperforming the market and is now the fastest growing brand in Irish convenience retailing.

In 2012 we bucked the industry trend by opening 28 new stores, and our new retail strategy is designed to harness that momentum, leading to the creation of more than of 1,200 new jobs in towns and villages right across the country.

O’Byrne said that MACE’s partnership with Maxol, which was renewed last year, “has seen the MACE group establish itself as Ireland’s largest forecourt symbol brand”. He said the company’s next phase of growth will focus on working with both partners and suppliers to “firmly cement MACE in a leadership position in Irish retailing”.

The new strategy will also see additional investment in MACE own-brand, with the company predicting a 20 per cent increase in the range of own-brand products available in MACE stores this year.

According to Willie O’Byrne:

Significant investment in our fresh and chilled supply chain last year has allowed us to offer a wider range of product options to both our retailers and our end consumers.

Demand for high quality, competitively priced own-brand alternatives has never been greater, and the next phase of growth will be in fresh and chilled produce – presenting a real opportunity for local Irish suppliers.

Video: The glamour of self-service shops in 1960s Ireland>