Bookseller, newsagent and stationary retailer Eason & Son said yesterday it had acquired 16 NPO shops in Northern Ireland. The company already has 14 stores employing 460 staff in Northern Ireland and a further 20 outlets in the Republic of Ireland which employ 1,500 people.

Eason director Mr John McKelvey declined to disclose the cost of the deal with NPO but said it had just opened its latest retail outlet in Swords, Co Dublin, and had plans to open a further five stores during the next two years.