Search Results for 'Retail'

Retail Excellence Ireland, Ireland’s largest retail industry body, has just announced the Top100 stores in Ireland and seven of these are located in Galway, where the awards ceremony will be held this winter.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has called on retailers to see who is ‘top of the shops’ as he launched the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2012 this week.

In some ways, shopping has become a lazy exercise. We do not need to stir from the sofa to get the hottest trends into our wardrobes. It’s raining, it’s cold, you need something to wear for your best friends’ birthday next Saturday but you could not bear the elements. No rain gear will do. The simple solution – open the laptop and get every designer and high street store style on your lap. But, we have to be conscious of a few things.

Dividends anticipated from ongoing intense investment by our government in attracting further tourism business to Ireland, may serve little purpose if there is nothing to keep people here when they come. While beautiful scenery and glorious outdoors have much to offer in their own right, without open doors in shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels to welcome those weary and seeking comfort following excursions, the allure of holidaying in Ireland may soon be lost.

Since opening its doors more than two years ago Born Clothing in Newtownsmith has grown from strength to strength, quickly gaining a reputation as a true shopping destination, offering its customers not only the latest fashions at affordable prices but also tasty culinary delights and beautiful views at its trendy cafe.

Irish companies are lagging behind and losing massive market share to their UK  and US counterparts according to research by the .ie Domain Registry (IEDR).

Goods of Kilkenny has made it through to the finals of the prestigious Best Shop Awards UK and Ireland 2011. The High Street retailer saw off competition from world renowned stores including Harrods and Harvey Nichols to be selected as a finalist for Best Department Store 2011.

NetStore.ie is a new online department store focusing on getting Irish retailers online and competing with the larger high street UK names that are dominating the marketplace here in Ireland. Online retail is worth about €3bn a year and growing by 20 per cent year on year so the news that the Exchequer is down by some €300 million in VAT may come as a surprise to some people.

Donegan’s Londis, Main Steet, Kilbeggan was a worthy winner of a Gold Award at the Londis Retailing Excellence Awards 2011. Donegan’s Londis received this award for maintaining high standards and developing a positive consumer experience in their store. Monksland Service Station, Althone were also recognised for superior in store service with a Silver Retailing Excellence Award.

It is refreshing to see some positive news on successful trading in Ireland when there is so much doom and gloom around. One company that looks to be bucking the trend is Cost Plus Sofas, which now has 20 megastores Ireland-wide from Dublin to Cork and from Sligo to Waterford, including the official opening of two new stores this weekend at Castlebar and at Tullamore. Another couple of stores are scheduled to open within the next two to three months. Every new store also provides useful new job opportunities to the local community.