J&J Haslett, which operates the Mace symbol in Northern Ireland, is set to step up the roll-out of its new Mace Express format.
It is planning to open 50 Mace Express stores in the province over the next three years. The first store was opened in Belfast earlier this month and a further six sites have already been agreed.
The new format is aimed at offering a delivered wholesale service to retailers with stores of under 1,000 sq ft.
J&J Haslett is continuing to develop its larger store format, Mace Superfresh. It will open a further four 3,000 to 8,000 sq ft stores this year. This will bring the total in the province to 12.