Retail sales at SuperValu reached a new high of €2.6bn last year.

The company - which holds 25% of the market share - says it represents a new milestone for the brand.

The grocery retailer plans to open five new stores this year - investing €28m and creating 350 jobs.

The Managing Director of SuperValu, Martin Kelleher, says it marks a new high after the "toughest recession" that Ireland has seen:

The company has benefited from an increase in online orders, growing by 32% during the second half of 2015.

Downloads of the company's app increased by 129% - while visits to its mobile site grew by 37%.

SuperValu is Ireland's most popular supermarket chain, its market share is 0.5% larger than Tesco, its closest rival.