THE Shopdirect group, which includes Celtic Hampers, has been sold to Great Universal Stores for an undisclosed sum. Following the deal, Shopdirect's managing director, Ms Liavan Mallin, is to leave the company.

Great Universal Stores owns Family Album Ireland and the Kays catalogue business. Its managing director, Mr Ewan Byrne, will take over from Ms Mallin at Shopdirect but the two businesses will continue to be run as separate entities.

Shopdirect was set up 10 years ago by Ms Mallin and two other partners. The privately owned company has never disclosed trading figures, but it is understood to have 80,000 customers in Ireland generating sales of around £15 million last year.

The bulk of Shopdirect's business is done around Christmas, when it sells its range of hampers and corporate gifts. Mr Byrne stressed yesterday that after the acquisition Shopdirect's business will continue to be run as usual.

GUS employs 50 people at Family Album and will increase its staff to 90 taking in those already employed by Shopdirect.