Shopfront: Roches Stores on Henry Street may be getting a lot of attention for its dramatic new facade and Zara concession, but the basement of the building also holds another well-known cheap and cheerful retail phenomenon, this time in homewares.

The Pier is a British company new to Roches Stores and, while its flagship on the Kings Road in London stocks larger pieces of furniture, what's available here are things like glassware, crockery and all manner of knick-knack home accessories: candles, silk flowers, tableware, sari-like cushions and so on.

It seems the style is a mix of many Eastern looks, taking bits and pieces from India, Bali and Japan with some Americana thrown in for good measure. While it has to be said that some of the goods aren't the best quality and some of it is just a teeny bit tacky, you will still find many gems at inexpensive prices, such as coasters (€7.95) and a charger (€29.95) made from broken pieces of green ceramic.

There are also many very good styles of simple glasses (€5.95). But the best thing about The Pier, and the reason to pay a visit now, may be its Christmas decorations, all of which are eye-catching and blindingly festive.

PS - We have just one gripe about the new Roches Stores: why do window displays which look like they haven't changed since 1986 front such a modern building?