Department Stores in Ireland

PROSPECTS

Increased pressure on department stores with closures anticipated

The number of department stores in Ireland is expected to decline over the forecast period. There is significant competition between department stores and internet retailers in particular.

Domestic players expected to see strong brand loyalty

Domestic retailers are expected to perform strongly over the forecast period, with Dunnes Stores and Brown Thomas both set to see growth due to strong brand loyalty and the high-end service that customers receive in store. Dunnes Store’s sales could slow if the company decides to invest in its internet retail channel.

Single House of Fraser store in Ireland faces uncertainty

One department store that faces significant uncertainty is British player House of Fraser. The retailer was rescued in 2018 by Sports Direct in the UK.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Going upmarket benefits Dunne Stores

Dunnes Stores has increased its sales share in the department store channel over the past year. The company has continued to go upmarket via high-end collaborations with designers such as Paul Costello and Lennon Courtney within apparel and homewares departments.

Heatons brand being phased out following takeover in 2017

Following the acquisition of Heatons by USC in Ireland in 2017, the Heatons retail brand, which also includes Sports World within stores, is slowly being phased out of Ireland. USC operates the USC, Sports Direct and Brand Max brands.

Department stores innovating and working hard to maintain footfall

To try and combat internet retail sales, the department store Arnotts invested heavily in its beauty department in 2018 as the Arnotts Beauty Hall was given a makeover, with parent company Selfridges and Co investing heavily in its North Dublin department store. The company also brought several new beauty counters into the store, including Nars and Urban Decay.

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