answers: 150
context: Given that Tesco and SuperValu have a far greater number of stores in the Republic than Dunnes Stores, this just highlights just how well and competitive Dunnes Stores is actually performing. By the autumn of 2018 Dunnes Stores once again returns to the number 1 spot as Ireland's larger selling grocery retailer with a comfortable lead over its rivals in the ever increasing competitive grocery market. In the 12 weeks to 4th November 2018, Dunnes holds a 22.4% of the grocery market, followed by SuperValu at 21.4%, Tesco 21.3% and Aldi and Lidl both at 11.7% each. The company owns </s> appointed administrators. 150 head office staff were immediately made redundant, leaving 2,500 jobs at risk. During the administration time, a total of 8 Republic stores closed, 5 in Scotland, with a further 2 closed in Northern Ireland and one in Middlesbrough, England. On 28 February 2013, Sports Direct bought 114 Republic stores, the brand name, all remaining stock and own-brands including SoulCal, Crafted and Fabric from the administrators. The Republic head office was also purchased. Sports Direct attempted to negotiate a reduction in rent for a number of stores, but the proposal was rejected by its landlords for those stores: </s> was a major expansion of Tesco's presence in Northern Ireland, its only other presence in Northern Ireland being a Tesco Metro in the city centre of Belfast. Other Great Britain based retailers had entered the market in Ireland around the same time. Sainsbury's had opened two stores at Ballymena and Forestside by the time Tesco completed the Stewarts purchase, and would open seven more between then and 2003. Safeway formed Safeway Stores Ireland along with Fitzwilton, taking over a number of former stores of Wellworths. The Republic of Ireland stores (Powers Supermarkets Ltd trading as Quinnsworth and Crazy Prices) became
question: how many lidl stores in republic of ireland