Arnotts, the only retailer quoted on the ISEQ Index, is expected to produce bumper results for the year to the end of January.

The company, which got its timing just right on the expansion of the flagship 300,000-square-foot store in Henry Street, continues to benefit from booming retail sales on the back of strong economic growth and income tax cuts.

Analysts are looking at earnings growth of about 16 per cent for the year. This would compare with growth of 26 per cent last year and 24 per cent in the previous year. While the rate of growth is lower, because it is on a higher base it is still a strong performance. Arnotts' Henry Steet store is the largest retail outlet in Ireland and the fifth largest in the UK and Ireland.

In 2001 the company plans to refurbish its 12,000 square foot store in Grafton Street. But Arnotts' main focus next year will be on getting an out-of-town superstore off the ground. The company's only out-of-town outlet is a small store in Stillorgan. It is looking at the Blanschardstown and Liffey Valley shopping centres as possible locations for a new 100,000-square-foot store.