Elevating retail strategy
Modern cash & carry stores have evolved into vibrant hubs serving retailers, foodservice professionals, and small business owners. ShelfLife reports
Print27 October 2025
Today’s cash & carry model is a far cry from the no-frills warehouses of the past. In 2025, these outlets are vibrant, streamlined, and deeply customer-focused—offering smart store layouts, tailored promotions, and seamless, tech-enabled B2B service. Gone are the days of cluttered aisles and purely transactional experiences. Modern cash & carry stores now function as dynamic business hubs for independent retailers, foodservice operators, and small enterprises. They provide not only a vast range of competitively priced products but also essential value-added services such as digital ordering, real-time inventory tracking, business consultancy, and flexible delivery or click-and-collect options.
These outlets are increasingly data-driven, using advanced analytics and AI to forecast demand, optimise stock levels, and personalise the buying journey. AI-powered inventory management systems streamline operations, while targeted promotions help customers maximise margins. Loyalty programs, mobile apps, and intuitive interfaces further enhance convenience.
Sustainability is also a growing priority, with brands investing in energy-efficient lighting, eco-friendly packaging, and responsible sourcing. Many operators now promote local suppliers and reduce waste as part of broader ESG commitments.
With the wholesale sector more competitive than ever, staying agile and informed is essential. Explore the latest innovations from leading cash & carry brands to uncover new opportunities, sharpen your retail strategy, and position your business for long-term success in an evolving market.
Stonehouse
Janice Gibney, chief operations officer, Stonehouse
Stonehouse Celebrating 25 Years
Fact file:
Name: Janice Gibney, chief operations officer
Company: Stonehouse Marketing Ltd
Number of branches nationwide: 22
Number of lines in product listing: +36,000
Tagline: ‘Ireland’s leading Independent Wholesaler & Distributor Group’
Ordering options (website, telephone orders etc): On-line / Telesales / Cash & Carry
Typical opening hours: 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your current role. What does a typical day look like for you?
A: I joined Stonehouse over 19 years ago and was appointed as Chief Operations Office in April 2023.
As chief operations officer my role is to implement and execute the company strategy as outlined by the board of directors.
We are a small team in Stonehouse Central office so it is essential I oversee all areas of the business ensuring processes are efficient and effective which in turn ensures the team can work at an optimal level.
As well as managing our central office I provide support to our members on all areas of their business, keep them up to date with ever changing legislation and requirements to ensure compliance across the group. Stonehouse central office brings members together to secure competitive pricing and enable collaboration to assist individual member growth which ensures total group growth.
No day is the same in this ever-changing fast-moving industry so it is essential to be able to re-prioritise my workload on a daily basis.
A typical Monday for me starts with working through e-mails, followed my our weekly office meeting, the team work a Hybrid model, working from home and in the office so we always ensure we are all in the office on a Monday, this fosters a good team environment and everyone gets to share their priorities for the week which in turn allows us establish if anyone requires additional resources or support in the week ahead.
I then work on the key strategic items required for completion in the period, which includes consulting with the team in the central office on an ongoing basis, as well as daily interactions with members and suppliers on various parts of the business.
Q: What’s been the standout moment for your business so far in 2025? Any highlights or milestones you’re particularly proud of?
A: 2025 is an incredibly special and important year for Stonehouse as we celebrate our 25th year in business. This quarter of a century milestone is an amazing achievement for the group, but 25 years is only a fraction to the existence of Stonehouse members.
April this year marked the 25th Anniversary of the merger of Nation Wholesale Grocers Alliance established in 1961 and Keencost founded in 1971 so while Stonehouse is in existence 25 years our members have been trading so much longer, this year one of our founding members M&P O’Sullivan are celebrating 120 years in business.
With so much change in the Irish market as well as continuing consolidation we are very proud to add so many new members to the group over the past 3 years and this year we welcomed Seery’s of Athlone, who are a perfect fit and great addition to the Group.
Q: How do you keep your business ahead of the competition in such a fast-moving market?
A: Our relationships with our suppliers and customers are key to doing business. Continued collaboration with suppliers and working together as a group allows us to ensure we bring the best value to our customers on a daily basis.
Q: The cost-of-living crisis continues to impact businesses and customers alike. What steps are you taking to offer strong value, pricing, and promotions right now?
A: We continually work together with suppliers to ensure we are competitive in the market. Increasing legislation is having a considerable impact on the cost of doing business in Ireland so we watch our costs closely to ensure no unnecessary costs impact our customers.
Q: Can you talk us through your sustainability approach?
A: We are currently at the start of our sustainability journey, executing our sustainability strategy is now part of our ongoing agenda and assisting our members on their sustainability journey plays a major part in this.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what innovations or plans are in the pipeline that your customers should be excited about?
A: Our plan for 2026 and beyond is to continue to grow our membership, maintain our strong retail business and develop our foodservice, fresh & frozen offering ensuring Stonehouse members become the one stop shop for all our customer’s needs. We will continue to collaborate with suppliers and customers, maintaining our personal approach, continued value for money and extensive customer reach, all with sustainability at the forefront of our minds.
Musgrave MarketPlace
Musgrave MarketPlace Business Made Easy
Declan Flood, director of Foodservice and MarketPlace sales
Company: Musgrave MarketPlace
Digital signage inside Musgrave MarketPlace
Spirits zone at Musgrave MarketPlace
Musgrave MarketPlace Ballymun
Musgrave MarketPlace Business Made Easy
Value offerings in-store
Fact file
Name: Declan Flood, director of Foodservice and MarketPlace sales
Company: Musgrave MarketPlace
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself and your current role. What does a typical day look like for you?
A: In my role I oversee strategic sales initiatives across the Republic of Ireland, particularly focused on Musgrave MarketPlace and foodservice channels. A typical day for me includes reviewing sales performance dashboards and KPIs; connecting with our team leads to align on priorities and addressing any urgent issues; as well as meeting with key accounts or partners to maintain relationships and explore growth opportunities.
We will spend time evaluating market trends and competitor activity to inform our sales strategy – this can include strategic planning sessions or cross-functional meetings with marketing, supply chain, or finance. My role is all about collaborating with the team on broader commercial initiatives constantly striving to bring innovation and solutions to our customers. I also like to take time to walk the floor to understand what the challenges are and to talk to customers – to see how we can make business that little bit easier for them.
Q: With your customers juggling busy schedules, how have you made it quicker and easier for them to place orders when they need to?
A: At Musgrave MarketPlace, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve our customer service. We appreciate the challenging environment that our customers operate in therefore, we are focused on building the strongest service proposition in the market – whilst providing the most extensive range at the best value. Our strapline, Business Made Easy, embodies this commitment to building trusted relationships with our customers while delivering exceptional service.
Our branches are open seven days a week with extended opening hours and delivery routes. Nationwide delivery (6 days a week) and a 24/7 online ordering system are available, allowing customers to shop at a time that suits them.
We invested significantly in our online ordering system, and we continue to see order numbers grow. Making it as simple and user friendly as possible was critical – and it has proven successful with almost 80% of orders now going through online. The digital space is a core part of our overall business strategy, and we are committed to innovating in this space further to ensure we deliver a world-class customer experience.”
Q: How have you enhanced the experience within your physical locations to make visits both enjoyable and efficient for your customers?
A: As a business, we are committed to redefining Irish food and beverage wholesaling and a huge part of that is a focus on delivering a best-in-class experience for our customers. The reimagination of our Ballymun Food Emporium ensures that we are providing the most extensive food and beverage range at the best possible value – all with a market leading service proposition.
Now with over 1,000 additional products, upgraded food and beverage zones, a revamped and extended Butchery offering and walk-in chill room, our customers can enjoy all that the revamped branch has to offer. We also have introduced an extensive Fruit & veg range of whole and prepped products.
Strong value is obviously critical – how are you working to ensure customers receive the best pricing and promotions? (Please provide examples if possible)
We have invested significantly in our own-brand offerings, circa 300 lines, and our customers can get up to 50% savings by shopping these ranges which are over 33% cheaper than the branded equivalent. This year, we have cut the prices on over 250 products that matter most to our customers as well as committing to low everyday prices on over 500 products.
Q: Can you talk us through your sustainability approach? What initiatives or credentials set your company apart in this area?
A: Across the Musgrave Group, we have a strong commitment to carry out our business in the most sustainable fashion and, through our ‘Growing Sustainably Every Day’ strategy, are proud of the steps we have taken on this journey.
At Musgrave MarketPlace, we are committed to doing everything possible to build a more sustainable future. Whether that is through our partnership with Foodcloud, which continues to deliver a substantial reduction in food waste or through the installation of solar panels at our locations around Ireland. All focused on making a difference and positive impact on the environment.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what innovations or plans are in the pipeline that your customers should be excited about?
A: 2026 is set to be another exciting year with plans to invest in a number of our MarketPlace food emporiums building on the success of Ballymun. Customer service will remain at the heart of all we do – we will continue to develop our own brand range to bring more value and innovation, and our digital platform will remain at the forefront to enhance the customer experience even further.
Value Centre
BWG Foods’ Cash & Carry Network is driving wholesale excellence across Ireland
The continued success of Value Centre reflects the strength and strategic vision behind BWG Foods’ nationwide Cash & Carry network. With 21 branches strategically located across Ireland, BWG delivers true national coverage: serving every town and major hub with consistency, reliability, and a deep understanding of local business needs.
This network is more than a distribution model. It’s a dynamic wholesaler built on nearly six decades of industry leadership. Through ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology, and customer experience, BWG has transformed the traditional Cash & Carry model into a modern, efficient, and customer-focused operation.
Paul Bealin, Cash & Carry Sales Director, BWG Foods
Customer engagement that goes beyond transactions
At the heart of BWG’s success is its exceptional and experienced sales team, led by Cash & Carry Sales Director Paul Bealin. This passionate group, both in-person and telesales, offers more than service; they provide trusted advisory support, helping customers stay ahead of market trends and product innovations.
Whether serving XL retailers, independent stores, licensed trade, or hospitality outlets, Value Centre’s sales team delivers personalised solutions that build loyalty, foster strong relationships to help drive growth.
The passion of the team is, for Paul, the most defining element of differentiation between BWG Foods and competitors. His team is one of the largest sales team in the industry and their experience and passion are unmatched and, certainly, unrivalled.
“It is a very talented and dedicated team, and each member is truly passionate about what they do,” agrees Paul. “They are hugely committed to helping our customers succeed and pride themselves on the value-added service they provide those customers. The local knowledge they possess is invaluable and really sets us apart from other Wholesalers.
“We take great satisfaction in seeing our customers prosper and their businesses perform.”
Competitive pricing and promotions delivering value
Value Centre’s dedicated team work tirelessly to ensure our customers have access to the best and most competitive offers. National promotions run every three weeks, complemented by seasonal campaigns that deliver exceptional value year-round.
Each Value Centre branch also offers localised deals tailored to the needs of its customer base.
This commitment to value is why independent, non-branded retailers consistently choose BWG, which is a clear endorsement of BWG’s pricing competitiveness and trusted service.
“These independent retailers and industry operators have a choice to make regarding whom they do business with and where they purchase their goods. That they consistently choose to rely on Value Centre is the strongest endorsement we could ask for,” explains Paul.
Technology empowering customers
BWG’s award-winning e-commerce platform, ShopLink, is a game-changing ordering platform for customers. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, ShopLink integrates with EPOS and the supply chain, giving customers real-time access to stock availability, promotions and pricing. Customers have the ability to order online directly, through their dedicated Sales Rep, via Value Centre’s Telesales Team, or by visiting their local depot, which ensures flexibility and convenience.
With a 97% service level and expert customer support, Value Centre ensures all clients are able to stay competitive and meet their customers’ daily needs.
Sustainability at scale
BWG is committed to reducing its environmental footprint through initiatives such as:
- CNG-powered and electric delivery vehicles
- Surplus food donations in partnership with FoodCloud
- The addition of Solar Panel energy capture throughout its nationwide network
These efforts reflect BWG’s dedication to sustainability while supporting local communities.
‘So much more for much less’
Looking ahead
Despite the challenging landscape, BWG’s Cash & Carry network delivered strong year-on-year growth for 2025. With continued investment, strategic acquisitions, such as the recent addition of Perry’s Wholesale in Carlow and a relentless focus on customer success, BWG is poised to elevate the wholesale experience even further in the year ahead.
‘Big on value’
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