In 1998, the National Wholesale Grocers Alliance, a buying group of independent
cash and carry outlets, launched Gala Retail Services Limited. The launch represented an attempt to replicate models operated by the
BWG Foods'
Spar chain and the
Musgrave-owned
Centra chain. It followed the entry of
Costcutter, a UK-based convenience store group, to the Irish market. As of 2005, Gala was operating stores under three brands: "Gala", "Gala Superstore" and "Checkout". In 2019, the group began the changeover of "Checkout" branded stores to a new facia called "Your Stop". Gala Retail Services Limited coordinates the franchise services for the retailers such as central billing, store development, fresh food advice, marketing, training and information technology, while wholesale members supply stores with goods. From 2018 to 2023,
BWG Foods acquired three Gala wholesale members, including 4 Aces Wholesale and Tuffys Wholesale, and is now the largest supplier to the symbol group. ==Sponsorship==