Discount retailer Dealz, which operates in the UK as Poundland, is to create 60 jobs with the opening of its first distribution centre in the Republic.
Based in Clonee, Co Meath, the new facility will allow Irish suppliers to send products directly to the retailer for distribution in its 79 stores here.
Dealz said it expected the distribution centre to provide opportunities for it to expand the number of goods its offers from Irish producers.
It represents a €4.4 million investment by the company, with the facility also becoming the base for its leadership team, which also has responsibility for the group’s 36 Poundland stores in the North.
The investment comes as Dealz marks its 10th anniversary in the Republic, where it currently employs 1,800 people.
The Dealz brand began in Ireland but is now used in more than 200 stores across Europe, including in Spain and Poland.
Dealz also said it intends to open standalone clothing and home stores next year that will provide a full range of men’s, women’s and children’s fashions as well as homewares. In addition, the group, which is introducing new chilled and frozen food at its Poundland stores, said it planned to introduce these to Dealz too.
The opening of the distribution centre, which comes as retailers struggle to deal with the impact of Brexit on supply chains, coincides with a wider investment by the company locally. Earlier this year, it announced it would invest €20 million in expanding the number of stores it has in a move that is expected to create 500 jobs over the next three years.
Dealz has created 120 new roles in recent months alone with the opening of shops in Rathfarnham, Clonakilty and Buncrana.
The company, which is ultimately owned by South African retail investment group Pepco, launched the brand concept in Ireland in 2011. It sells a range of more than 1,000 goods including cut-price groceries, stationery and general merchandise.
Dealz and Poundland managing director Barry Williams said the Clonee distribution centre and investment in additional stores was further evidence of the company’s commitment to the Irish retail market.
“Our Dealz brand was born in Ireland and has gone from strength to strength over the past 10 years,” he said.
“It’s a reflection of that growing importance that we’re now able to invest further in our Irish operations in support of the customers and communities that have supported us over the past decade.”
