Dunnes Stores has begun a major expansion into the British market, with plans to open 25 stores and employ 1,500 people over the next five years. The company announced yesterday the opening of a new 24,000 sq ft store in Northampton which will employ 60 people initially.
The company has not opened a new store in Britain for the last two years, preferring to concentrate on the market in the Republic and Northern Ireland.
The Northampton store is adjacent to a new Wm Morrisons food store on the edge of the town centre. The store will carry the company's full textile and homewares range and is due to open next Monday. While the company will not reveal the current performance of its British operations, it says this current expansion plan will treble turnover.
It is understood that most of the stores due to be opened will be built on greenfield sites, although an acquisition of another retail chain has not been ruled out.
According to a company statement, expansion of its "UK business is a very important part of the company's overall plans".
The company already has stores in Liverpool, Bradford, Billingham, Southampton, Salford, Skelemersdale and Tamworth.
Dunnes Stores' executive director, Mr Andrew Street, has extensive experience in the British market with Boots Chemists, where he was director of Information Systems from 1989 to 1996.
Sources suggest the company will also continue to purchase new stores in the Republic and in Northern Ireland, as part of a major growth drive.
