On the first day of the Christmas sales, turnover was at least as good and sometimes better, than last year, report Conor Popeand Kitty Hollandfrom some of the country's biggest retail outlets
RETAILERS IN Dublin and the main provincial centres, who started their post-Christmas sales yesterday, were last night reporting satisfactory trading and looking forward to a busy week as the weather improves. Many stores said that despite the country’s economic difficulties, first day sales turnover was at least as good, and sometimes better, than last year.
While the Brown Thomas flagship store on Grafton Street in Dublin was unable to open because of flood damage, its branches in Cork, Galway and Limerick all reported very busy days.
It was the second year for Brown Thomas in Cork to open on St Stephen’s Day and a spokeswoman said it had been “a phenomenal day’s trading”. She said she expected “a double-digit increase on last year’s numbers” when they were all added up.
In the Cork store, handbags, shoes and ladies’ clothes proved to be particularly popular. But the big surprise was the level of trade in the menswear section where many racks were stripped bare by the early afternoon.
Brown Thomas in Galway and Limerick opened on St Stephen’s Day for the first time and both reported good days. The Galway store had “an absolutely brilliant day”, a spokesperson said, with handbags and lingerie in greatest demand.
In Grafton Street in Dublin, two ladies in search of handbags were forlorn. Emily Turner from Lucan described herself as “heartbroken” that Brown Thomas remained closed yesterday. “I wanted a handbag. It has ruined my day. They’re probably going to be 50 per cent off and I was so looking forward to it,” she said.
She and another young woman had just been to Reiss where most items were between 20 and 50 per cent off. Her friend had bought a black blazer, “a top with 30 per cent off and leggings were half price . . . So I am pleased, yes.”
It was still only 10.30am. “We’re heading home now. I think you need to be in early to get the sizes and beat the crowds,” smiled Ms Turner.
There were few crowds to beat at that stage, however. Grafton Street hummed gently, with a lower level of footfall than even on a normal weekday morning. But by noon some shops were getting busier. Rebecca Walsh, in her 20s, who was at the end of a long queue to the tills in BT2, had two dresses, at 50 per cent off, draped across her arms. “Just impulse buys. Really, I was coming into Dublin for Brown Thomas. I came in from Mullingar and heard on the way it was closed, so I suppose I could have turned back. No, I won’t come back up tomorrow. I’ll get these and maybe look at Topshop and then go for home.”
Hilda Wilson from Knocklyon, who had come into town for a handbag in Brown Thomas, said: “I’ve come in all this way in this weather for a big reduction and now they are closed.”
She was also annoyed Marks and Spencer wasn’t open. “I find there is just not enough co-ordination between the shops. I don’t believe Marks and Sparks in Oxford Street would be closed today. I don’t know about coming in again tomorrow. I just might go to a shopping centre I’m so irritated.”
By 1pm, Henry Street on the northside of Dublin city centre was busy, but not uncomfortably so. Arnotts hummed as it would on a busy Saturday.
In the kitchenware department, potential bargains were being pondered over by Peter McKeon and his wife Mary, from Raheny. A Kenwood Delonghi K-Mixer, which looked to be solid and heavy-duty enough for a busy restaurant kitchen, was on offer for €350, down from €499, and came with a Kenwood Delonghi blender, worth €149, for free.
“I’ve been researching these and this really is the best value for these mixers in Dublin,” said Mr McKeon. “It’s a one-off purchase and this will last a lifetime. Yes we are very keen cooks,” he laughed. “I am definitely buying this. I knew as soon as we came in.”
The children’s wear department was very busy, with long queues at tills. Jean Hartfod from Swords had bought a present for a baby and a dress. “I always head straight for Arnotts. It always has great reductions and it has the best selection.”
Upstairs in Debenhams was Nadia Rozu, from Drogheda, looking through girls’ dresses in Zara. “Ah we drove down to look at handbags in Brown Thomas. It’s very disappointing they’re closed. But sure, what can you do? So we’ve come over this side of the city to get some clothes for the kids. No point going home with nothing,” she said.