Eoin McGettigan is heading back to Ireland to become Dunnes Stores’ director of food following his surprise departure from The Co-operative Group a fortnight ago.
McGettigan had only been chief executive for food retail at the co-operative for three months when he announced he
was leaving. At the time he refused to reveal where he was going, saying only that he would be joining a “major European retailer” and that he could not turn down the opportunity for the sake of his family.
McGettigan became Musgrave UK executive chairman in 2002 following the Irish company’s acquisition of Budgens and helped it pull off the £60m deal to acquire Londis last July.
McGettigan is moving to Dunnes at a time when the privately owned retailer is under intense pressure from Tesco and discounters such as Aldi and Lidl.
He replaces Dick Reeves, who will be retiring from the business.

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