"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row njt-role=”people-in-the-roles” njt-role-user-roles=”administrator,editor,author,armember”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The managing director of Brown Thomas Arnotts<\/strong>, a department store chain in Ireland, Donald McDonald<\/strong>, said the lifting of mask mandates in the country would boost consumer confidence as he opened the group’s fifth Brown Thomas store in Dublin’s largest shopping center.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The new store in Dundrum<\/strong> city center will employ about 400 people<\/strong> and aims to offer an “innovative<\/em>” retail experience, with a focus on sustainability.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “We haven’t noticed any change yet and demand for luxury brands remains strong,<\/em>” commented Donald McDonald when asked if the 5% inflation is starting to bite or if demand for goods is cooling as the country becomes less restricted. “I’m told people are going back on vacation in droves and our numbers are holding up.<\/em>”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While the group’s online business tripled in the first 12 months of the pandemic, physical sales are up 5% over 2019 since May<\/strong>. The higher total spend per customer offsets foot traffic that remains slightly lower than the same period.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n While the group’s regional outlets have performed very well, McDonald said it’s hard to tell if there will be a permanent trend away from downtown shopping. “What we are seeing are very, very positive signs. Customers are coming back to our stores in droves and we’re very excited about the future of physical retail.<\/em>”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read also >\u00a0LUXURY SECTOR ON TRACK TO RETURN TO PRE-COVID LEVELS<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Featured photo : \u00a9\u00a0Brown Thomas[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row njt-role=”not-logged-in”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The managing director of Brown Thomas Arnotts<\/strong>, a department store chain in Ireland, Donald McDonald<\/strong>, said the lifting of mask mandates in the country would boost consumer confidence as he opened the group’s fifth Brown Thomas store in Dublin’s largest shopping center.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n […][\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=”This article is reserved for subscribers.” h2_font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:16|text_align:left” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” h4=”Subscribe now !” h4_font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:32|text_align:left|line_height:bas” h4_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” color=”black” add_button=”right” btn_title=”I SUBSCRIBE !” btn_color=”danger” btn_size=”lg” btn_align=”center” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” use_custom_fonts_h4=”true” btn_button_block=”true” btn_custom_onclick=”true” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fluxus-plus.com%2Fen%2Fsubscriptions-and-newsletter-special-offer-valid-until-september-30-2020-2-2%2F”]Get unlimited access to all articles and live a new reading experience, preview contents, exclusive newsletters…<\/p>\nPhysical stores attract customers<\/h2>\n
<\/h4>\n
<\/h4>\n
Demand for luxury goods remains strong in Ireland due to increased spending opportunities following the end of lockdowns.<\/h4>\n
Physical stores attract customers<\/h2>\n