Gala (supermarket)

Last updated
Gala
Founded1998;26 years ago (1998)
Headquarters
Ireland
Number of locations
250 [1]  (2022)
Area served
Ireland
Key people
Gary Desmond
Website www.gala.ie

Gala is a convenience shop chain in Ireland. Established in 1998, as of 2021 Gala had approximately 250 shops nationwide, [1] all under franchise. The symbol group is supplied by a number of independent wholesalers which were formerly part of the National Wholesale group (now known as Stonehouse). [2] [3] In 2008, the brand recognised its tenth year in business. [4] Gary Desmond is the chief executive officer. [5]

Contents

Gala sponsors the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship, Gradam Chumarsáide an Oireachtais, [6] and the Irish Special Olympics Team. [7]

History

In 1998, the National Wholesale Grocers Alliance, a buying group of independent Cash and carry outlets, launched Gala Retail Services Limited, in an attempt to replicate models operated by BWG Foods Spar (retailer) chain & Musgrave owned Centra - SuperValu and to enable customers[ clarification needed ] to compete competitively against the backdrop of the entry of new retailers to the irish market, Tesco and Costcutter.[ citation needed ]

As of 2005, Gala was operating stores under three brands: Gala (convenience), Gala Superstore (small supermarket) and Checkout (low cost offering). [8] [ failed verification ] Recently,[ when? ] the group has begun the changeover of "Checkout" branded stores to a new facia called "Your Stop".[ citation needed ]

Gala Retail Services Limited coordinates the franchise services for the retailers such as central billing, store development, fresh food advice, marketing, training and information technology, while wholesale members supply stores with goods.[ citation needed ]

In recent years,[ when? ] BWG Foods the second largest wholesaler in the Republic of Ireland,[ citation needed ] has made a number of acquisitions of Gala Wholesale Members such as 4 Aces Wholesale, Cox's Cash & Carry & Tuffys Wholesale, and is now the largest supplier to the symbol group. [9] [10] [11]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Gala Retail". Shelflife Magazine. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  2. "National Wholesale to launch Gala chain of symbol stores". Irish Independent. 1998-06-25. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  3. "Wholesale grocery merger worth £500m". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  4. Murphy, Mary (2008-10-09). "Ten times the fun for Kerry Gala stores". The Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2012-02-16. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  5. "Camogie finalists gear up for big day". RTÉ. 2009-09-08. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  6. "Gala Camogie Championship is launched". RTÉ. 2009-06-10. Archived from the original on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  7. Byrne, Paul (2024-04-17). "Gala Retail marks a decade of supporting Special Olympics Ireland". Shelflife Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  8. "Gala to invest ?48m in 40 more stores". Irish Independent. 2005-10-24. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  9. "Cox family sell their Cash & Carry business to BWG Foods". 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2024-04-23.[ failed verification ]
  10. "Wholesaler BWG Group's expansion continues with proposed Tuffy deal". www.farmersjournal.ie. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
  11. "BWG agrees deal to buy 4 Aces Wholesale". Irish Independent. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2024-04-23.