From Aer Lingus pilots to Alias Tom: Who were the winners and losers in Irish business this year?
In a year of closures and comebacks, Michael O’Leary had a ‘pain in the backside’, while Gail Slater was urged to ‘Make America Competitive Again’
Smyths Toys
‘Toys in those days weren’t like the toys of today’: Smaller toy shops survive through the generations
Traditional personal touch is key to gaining customer loyalty and trust
Revenues at Smyths toys hit record €2.49bn
Family-owned group’s superstore network extends to 225 outlets
Smyths Toys ‘shambles’ as voucher failure leaves children in tears
Many would-be shoppers only became aware system was down when vouchers were not accepted at tills
Industrial and logistics draws investors in face of economic headwinds
While other sectors have experienced steep declines in investment this year, volumes in the industrial and logistics sector are poised to hit €530 million
Revenue at UK arm of Smyths toy stores tops €1bn for the first time
Number of stores in chain now at 283 across UK, Ireland and Europe following acquisition of PicWic Toys in France in 2022
Increased footfall at Smyths Toys in Northern Ireland boosts sales by 11%
Total turnover across seven Northern Ireland stores reached £56.2m last year
Smyths Toys to open major distribution centre in Dundalk
New 401,375sq ft warehouse and parking for 50 HGVs nearing completion on 27-acre site at Dundalk North Business Park
Woman’s €75,000 claim over defamation and imprisonment in toy shop thrown out
Rachel Kenny, from Rathdrum, claimed upset and humiliation after being asked to show receipt as she left store with basket of unbagged goods
RTÉ and Ticketmaster ‘among worst for customer experience’ while credit unions top list
Research from CX Company puts national broadcaster in last place when it comes to customer experience
Liam Smyth obituary: Founder of Smyths Toys and proud Mayo man
With his brothers, he built the business to more than 200 stores across Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, the UK and Ireland
Tributes paid to Smyth’s Toys director Liam Smyth who died last weekend
Liam Smyth and his brothers grew business into pan-European juggernaut
Smyth’s claim MetroLink plans would see Swords toy store demolished
Toy seller made claim in submission to An Bord Pleanala
Smyths Toys teams up with Stripe for online payments
Deal allows retailer to offer Apple and Google payment options
Bewley’s €1.7m loss on Grafton Street, SMEs and sick pay, and ‘depressing’ housing crisis
Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk
Smyths Toys’ Irish and UK revenue passes €1bn for first time
Pretax profit of toy retailer’s Irish unit increased by 39 per cent to €4.35 million last year, latest accounts show
Smyths Toys posts record profits of £18.11m at UK unit in 2021
Bumper sales of Lego, Barbie, Nerf, Paw Patrol and My Little Pony power UK revenues up 27% to £788m
Caveat: Brexit could get UK retailers’ tills ringing to an Irish tune
Irish divisions of big UK retailers could become sweet spots for parent companies
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