Pictured left-to-right: Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Terry Frey, Corporate Vice-President, Kroger USA, Frank Ryan, CEO, Enterprise Ireland and Stuart McCready, Country Manager USA, Zip Firelighters.

Senior executives from America’s largest retail chains met with 17 leading Irish consumer products companies in Dublin in early September to explore the potential for large-scale distribution in the American retail market. Between them, the visiting delegates represent over 11,000 retail stores in the US. The products on show included food & beverages, baby care, household, healthcare and tourism products as well as Nualight’s innovative retail lighting products.

The US delegation, which was hosted by Enterprise Ireland,  included Presidents and Vice Presidents of major US retail chains Walgreens/Duane Reade, Ahold, HEB and Kroger.  The event was co-ordinated by GMDC, the US non-profit global trade association supporting general merchandise and health beauty wellness retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. Some of the household Irish brands that the US retailers met in Ireland included Handy Baby Products, Irish Breeze , Liliy O’Brien chocolates and Slendertone.

Frank Ryan, CEO, Enterprise Ireland cited the visit as  “a major coup for Ireland and Irish products.” He continued:  “To achieve a listing with any one of these US retail giants is a massive boost for any of these Irish consumer goods companies.  It represents a major move into the US market, and a huge international endorsement for their products.”

Further details on the event and the participating companies here