Up to 76 staff have reportedly been laid off as a result of the closures.
British retailer M&S have announced the shock closure of two Irish stores this week, within days of each other.
The first Marks & Spencer announcing its closure was a food and clothes store in Drogheda, Co Louth, which will be cutting 57 jobs in the process.
The second location announcing its closure is the grocery store based in Clarion Quay, Dublin, citing a "consistent decline in sales" as the reason for shutting down, with a further 19 staff losing jobs.
[caption id="attachment_163623" align="alignnone" width="2048"]Photo by Peter Dazeley via Getty Images[/caption]
"Shopping habits are changing."
Despite the 76 job losses, Marks & Spencer’s Country Director Ireland & Northern Ireland, Eddie Murphy emphasised that the retailer is ‘committed to Ireland’ and has ‘ambitious plans for growth’.
"Our recent Christmas trading figures show we’re heading in the right direction. However, we also need to modernise our business to safeguard what we have achieved," said Mr Murphy.
"Shopping habits are changing, and we are shaping our store estate to focus our investment on the right stores in the right places."
Mr Murphy said that the closure of the two "underperforming" stores was a "tough decision" and that the affected staff have been informed of the decisions.
The closure of the Clarion Quay store in Dublin is due to a "consistent decline in sales and footfall over several years", according to Mr Murphy.
The Drogheda location closure was because its low occupancy requires "significant investment" and "its sales performance is behind" the rest of the retailer’s store estate.
Mr Murphy added that while the company understands there will be disappointment with the announcement, he believes that the decision is "the right one for the future of M&S in Ireland".
This article originally appeared on JOEHeader image via Getty by John KeebleREAD ON:
- The top 11 greatest burgers in Dublin that you MUST try
- 'Save D-Light' Dublin art studio appeals for help amid risk of shutting down for good
- Not so vegan-friendly: Plant-based businesses on the acute impact of the hospitality crisis
Sample Kerrygold’s first ever cheese range at this Dublin pop-up
Brought to you by all four Dublin local authorities and supported by the Department of Housing. The recently launched scheme offers a range of benefits for landlords in Dublin, including guaranteed income and long-term security. A new scheme launched by Dublin City Council in conjunction with all local Dublin councils – Fingal County Council, South […]
Brought to you by Kerrygold Get your crackers at the ready, folks. With its signature creamy taste and its iconic packaging, Kerrygold has earned a global reputation for excellence. The brand’s world famous butter is at once a staple of Irish kitchens and a hot commodity abroad. As Kerrygold’s profile continues to grow, its range […]
Pure irony. Words by Hannah Cronolly Popular Dublin pub, Hole in the Wall, is among seven premises that have been issued with closure notices by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month. Hole in the Wall, located on Blackhorse Avenue in Dublin 7, has been forced to close due to the presence of […]
Photo by Peter Dazeley via Getty Images[/caption]
