Asda may move into Ireland

Wal-Mart-owned British retailer is in advanced discussions with an Irish developer over plans to make its first foray into the Republic, the Sunday Business Post in Ireland reported.

 It is understood that the deal would
see the retailer open a superstore on a site owned by Finnabair
Estates in the Dundalk Retail Park in Co Louth and is just weeks from
being finalised. There has been repeated speculation that Asda was
interested in taking over Dunnes Stores, but Asda and Dunnes have not
commented. The paper notes that Asda and Sainsbury’s have a 2.5%
share of the Republic’s grocery market even though neither chain
has any shops in the Republic.