John Moane – despite the sound of his name – brings us some happy news indeed from BWG, the group behind the Spar and Mace retail chains in Ireland.

Moane, who runs BWG's wholesale division, tells me that BWG's XL chain of convenience store outlets is planning to add 30 new shops to its network by the end of the year, bringing its total network to 230.

Expansion
"It is an attractive proposition for neighbourhood stores. We've opened 90 in the last three years," he said.

Most of the new stores are actually existing independents who will find shelter from the retail storm under the umbrella of a big symbol group. The XL expansion is being made possible by cash released under a refinancing deal struck between AIB and BWG.

That freed up €20 million for a new distribution facility in west Dublin.

Back in the glory days, all of the symbol group’s used to offer lucrative inducements to get independents (or shops from their rivals’ posse) to sign up.

One can only presume that sort of lark is now history.