Month: July 2015

Vodafone to create 200 new jobs in Dublin

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Vodafone, the telecom giant is to invest €200 million in a new European Sales Centre that will create 200 new jobs in Dublin. The centre will be named ‘Red Edge’ and will supply expertise in specialised sale capabilities for business customers across Ireland, The UK and The Netherlands. It will see Vodafone’s employee numbers, direct and indirect, grow to 2,000.

Recruitment is believed to already be underway for these jobs. Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in attendance at the announcement. He said “The government is working hard to rebuild a sustainable enterprise led economy, which is a prerequisite for full employment. Today’s new jobs highlight Ireland’s attractiveness as a location where companies have access to a talented and highly skilled work force.”

They say that Ireland was chosen, following a “thorough evaluation process”, for the location of the centre primarily because of “the access to a large pool of the country’s highly skilled and talented graduate population”.

Dixons Carphone to launch in the US

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

UK Retailer Dixons Carphone has announced their intent to launch in the US market. They will pair with American telecomm provider Sprint. The deal is believed to be a lucrative pairing between both parties. Dixons Carphone was created last year, with the merge of consumer electrical giant Dixons and mobile phone retailer and operator Carphone Warehouse.

Dixons Carphone operate as one of the largest retailers in the UK and owns brands such as Currys and PC World. Sprint is one of the State’s biggest mobile phone operators.

Dixons Carphone will initially provide ‘mobile phone retail expertise and proprietary knowledge’ to Sprint as it opens 20 preliminary stores in the US. The trial of the 20 branded Spirit shops, if successful, will see the pair embark on an equal ownership venture. Each will control a buy-in cost of £20.5 million to Dixons Carphone with the intention to roll out 500 new Sprint branded stores across the country.

Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO, said: “We are excited to partner with Dixons Carphone and to leverage all their know-how as one of the world’s leading wireless retailers to benefit Sprint and its customers.

Source: http://news.sky.com/story/1511928/dixons-carphone-and-sprint-in-us-stores-deal

 

Iconic Dublin Retailer on the hunt for new home

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Dublin’s Doll Hospital has been forced to close its doors for the second time in recent years. Owner Melissa Nolan expressed her sadness at having to shut up shop at their residence in Powerscourt Town House. However, the owner of the revered Irish institution, Nolan is confident on finding a new sustainable home.

In an interview Nolan said “Three years ago we had to close our premises on George’s Street after thirty years in business. Our rent had been fixed to a five-year lease and it had been going up so we had to go’’

Unfortunately, the move to Powerscourt TownHouse never took off due a poor location and alienation of core customers. “In our haste we never realised that we would be on the top floor, which you have to climb four flights of stairs to get to. Many of our customers are coming with children and prams or are elderly, so it just wasn’t ideal. We tried for three years to give it a go but it didn’t work.”

Nolan is hopeful a viable solution will restore the Doll Hospitals museum and hospital. “I hope we will have the museum set up again and the hospital saved. I’m quite nostalgic about it and I feel it has become something of an institution and we want to hold onto it. At the same time we have to be realistic that we would need help getting somewhere family-friendly with affordable rent.”

Source: http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/its-doll-over-dublins-doll-6015964

Shane Lowry and Heatons announce partnership

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Shane Lowry and Irish Retailer Heaton’s have announced a partnership in which the Irish golfer will be brand ambassador for the sale of golfing apparel Kartel. The brand, which is synom with golfing professionals will be available exclusively in Heatons stores and online from September.

Lowry will design a bespoke range of apparel for Kartel in a three year partnership. The designs will be made available in selected stores from this coming September with the intent to role across all 54 Irish stores and online in Spring 2016.

The range is set to include golf polos and practice polos, trousers, knitwear and wet gear. Lowry will debut the gear at this year’s Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club.

Lowry said “The collection reflects my own classic taste in golfing apparel and is designed to meet the elite performance needs of a professional golfer, whilst also remaining suitable for any amateur golfer.”

Source: http://www.businessandleadership.com/marketing/item/51202-shane-lowry-in-three-year/