International operations
In 1996, Iceland opened its first store in Ireland.[43] Later, there were seven stores, six in Dublin and one in Letterkenny. They all closed in 2005 owing to financial difficulties.[44] In November 2008, Iceland Foods re-entered the Irish market, reopening a store in Ballyfermot in Dublin after agreeing a franchise deal with an Irish cash and carry company, AIM.[45] In November 2009, a second Dublin store reopened in Finglas. In November 2013, Iceland Foods acquired seven Irish stores which were previously franchised.[46]
In February 2023, Iceland's parent company sold its 27 Irish stores to The Project Point Technologies, although the company was expected to continue to use the Iceland brand name under a franchise agreement.[47] In June 2023, Metron Stores,[48] trading as Iceland, was ordered to recall all imported meat products by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, due to traceability concerns.[49] In the same month, Metron said it was insolvent and unable to pay debts of €36m, and several stores were abruptly closed.[50] Iceland returned to the Republic of Ireland in October 2024 under a partnership with retailer Dunnes Stores.[51] There were 11 outlets in the Czech Republic, operated by ICL Czech until they closed in 2022.[52]
Iceland Foods also operates stores in Spain and Portugal (countries with substantial British communities), in conjunction with Spanish-based retailer Overseas. The stores stock Iceland products as well as Waitrose items.[53] In July 2012, in a joint venture with Jóhannes Jónsson, co-founder of Bónus and former Iceland owners Baugur Group, the firm opened a store in Kópavogur, Iceland,[54] and subsequently in the capital, Reykjavík.[55] Sandpiper CI has six Iceland Foods franchise supermarkets in Jersey and four in Guernsey.[56]
Via franchise agreement with a local food importer and distributor, Iceland Foods operates in Malta. Initially, in 1998, this was for the supply only of Iceland Foods-branded products to supermarkets, but in 2015 the operation opened stores in Birkirkara, followed by Mosta, Qawra and Marsascala in 2018.[57] The Malta stores differ from those in the UK: there is a greater emphasis on non-frozen items, and stores feature fresh fruit, vegetables and bakery sections.
