Author: Aisling Rafferty

Brown Thomas begin €1.5 million revamp

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Brown Thomas on Dublin’s Grafton Street have begun a €1.5 million revamp to their flagship department store. Hoarding has been erected over the last few weeks as repairs begin on the building’s exterior. It includes work to the brickwork and water damage.

The work is all part of an estimated €20 million refurbishment programme which aims to modernise the iconic store. The work will take 12 weeks to complete and will include work to their South William Street and Clarendon street entrances.

The work has been planned carefully and will not affect business. It has been planned meticulously, so as not to disturb the shopping day. Managing Director Stephen Sealy said “If you plan it carefully it won’t affect the business. “It will cost us about €1.5 million but it’s the right thing to do. Ultimately, it’s an investment in the future of the business.”

Brown Thomas have seen a lift in sales of late. They have stores across in Dublin, Cork, limerick and Galway and BT2 outlets in Grafton Street, Henry Street, Dundrum and Blanchardstown. In 2014 Brown Thomas had a profit of €4.7 million.

Penney’s to expand to Italy

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Fashion retailer Penney’s has plans to embark on the Italian market, eyeing up potential stores. Known as Primark to UK consumers, has plans to open three Italian stores next year. It is believed that the first Italian store will open North West of Milan in Summer 2016.

Primark opened in France 18 months ago and have had success across all French operations. The first French store opened in Marseilles 2013 and the second in Dijon 2014. This is believed to have been an encouraging factor in opening Italian stores. They currently operate 250 stores across Europe in 8 countries and are one of the most revered fashion retailers.

With 38 stores branded as ‘Penneys’ across Ireland, they also have stores in Spain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Belgium and Austria.

Source: http://www.newstalk.com/Penneys-Primark-Italy-expansion-Marseilles-Dublin

Ownership change and redevelopment for Stephen Greens Shopping Centre

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Stephens Green Shopping Centre will undergo an expansive redevelopment as the centre’s ownership will change. Irish Life is currently the majority shareholder with 73%, will sell 35.4% of its interest with the expectation that it will trigger change. These include a new layout which will accommodate five large new fashion stores and a nine screen rooftop cinema.

Currently there are 90 shops over 3 levels which produces an annual income of €6.2 million and a further €2.2 million from the 1,200 space car park. However, over the years the shopping centre has failed to capitalise on its prime retail ground, residing on the top of Dublin’s most revered shopping avenue. Irish life has failed to invest in the shopping centre to date and have been reluctant to plough in funds. Currently there are a string of fashion traders waiting for suitable premises on Grafton Street.

One of the problems has been the over-reliance on kiosks, which drown floor space and continually grow in numbers, currently standing at 20. The new ground floor layout will include a central pedestrian aisle and more spacious outlets, utilising centre space.

The current owners of the centre have already secured planning permission to develop a €10 million, nine-screen cinema on the roof of the centre, with a seating capacity of 1,612. It will be the only cinema in the south inner city. The opening of the cinema was to have coincided with a remodelling of the second floor to accommodate a wide range of restaurants and coffee outlets.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/commercial-property/ownership-change-for-stephen-s-green-shopping-centre-1.2276461

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/

Magnum Pleasure Store to launch in Arnotts

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Arnotts will launch a new pop up ‘Magnum Pleasure Store’, tomorrow Wednesday July 1st. The new pop up will encompass the core Magnum range, but offer a more personalised offering. With 15 different types of toppings to choose from, it follows the same style as ‘Yogism’ and Frozen Yogurts, where you personalise your food to suit your order. The pop up has been in numerous cities across Europe and looks set to hit Dublin right in time for the good weather.

Source: http://lovindublin.com/dublin/these-pimped-out-magnum-ice-creams-are-the-stuff-sunny-daydreams-are-made-of

Kerrygold to start making alcohol

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Dairy producer Kerrygold has announced that it is branching out and will launch a cream liqueur. Kerrygold has been renowned for their dairy offerings and the new venture is a first venture out of their Food niche.

The Irish cream liqueur is a blend of cream, Irish whisky and chocolate. Kerrygold have stated that what differentiates their offering from competing cream liqueurs is the “distinctive cream from Irish grass-fed cows”. A 1 litre bottle of the liqueur retails for €20 and is available exclusively at Dublin Airport.

Source: http://www.thejournal.ie/kerrygold-irish-cream-liqueur-2182675-Jun2015/

Ikea to test new smaller high street format

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Ikea plans to trial new smaller format stores in an attempt to extend their reach across Britain and Ireland. The privately owned Swedish company is known for their extensive stores and flat pack offerings. Beginning in Norwich this Autumn, Ikea will trial ‘order and collection’ points.

Ikea currently operate 18 stores in the UK, which customers cite as ‘too far away’. Ikea’s UK manager Gillian Drakeford said of the new venture ‘’Order and collection points give us the opportunity to trial new ways of being more accessible to our customers’’. Ikea have currently opened similar formats in Spain, Finland and Norway.

The Norwich outlet will allow customers to touch and test Ikea’s product range, speak to home furnishing experts and make and collect orders made online or in the store, which will also include an Ikea cafe. The move is part of a global initiative as Ikea. Ikea currently has 315 stores in 27 countries and aims to double sales to about €50 billion by 2020 through sales growth at existing stores, new stores and new markets.