A delegation of executives from some of the largest retail chains in the United States are in Dublin this afternoon to meet representatives of Irish companies hoping to gain access to the lucrative US market.

Enterprise Ireland is hosting the event.

They say it is a huge opportunity for brands including Flahavan’s, Lily O’Brien’s and Irish Breeze to boost their international sales.

Between them the retailers have over 11,000 stores across the US and sales valued at US$182 billion per year.

The delegation includes the presidents and vice presidents of major US retail chains Walgreens/Duane Reade, Ahold, HEB and Kroger.

The visit represents tremendous potential for Irish companies to break into the top retail chains in the United States and significantly boost their international sales.

The Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton met the delegation this morning.

” The delegation taking part in this Enterprise Ireland initiative are the most senior representatives from America’s leading retail chains” he said.

“In a very practical way, it offers a significant opportunity for these innovative Irish companies to showcase their products and hopefully secure shelf space on as many of those 11,000 stores as possible” he added.

Joe Magnacca is president of daily living products and solutions for leading US drugs retailer Walgreens.

He says he has been impressed by the products on show.

You might also like

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/enterprise-ireland-opens-office-in-johannesburg/">Enterprise Ireland opens office in Johannesburg

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/news/over-900-jobs-to-be-created-by-start-up-firms/">Over 900 jobs to be created by start-up firms

href="http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/featured-5-slideshow-homepage/newstalks-first-business-person-of-the-month-winner/">Newstalk’s first ‘Business Person of the Month’ winner