Sasha set to open 20 stores and create 250 jobs in North expansion

IRISH-OWNED ladies fashion chain Sasha is expanding into the North, with plans for 20 new stores and 250 new jobs.

This is the company’s first expansion out of theRepublic of Ireland, where it has 45 stores and more than 500 employees.

The new stores will open over the next two years, with the first of these already opened in Lisburn, Co Antrim and the second opening in Bangor, Co Down later this week.

Sasha was established in 1983 and has an annual turnover of over €50m.

Company owner Cyril Walsh said: “This expansion decision is textbook demand and supply. In the last 18 months, our stores close to the Border, for example Letterkenny, Monaghan and Dundalk, have received an increasing level of cross-Border business.

“Sasha offers something different to the women of Northern Ireland. We design our collections in-house with Irish women in mind and this is evident in our sizing, trend analysis and value for money pricing,” he added.

The company, meanwhile, will also continue its expansion in the Republic of Ireland over the coming months. It will open a new store in Marshes Shopping Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth, this month and a flagship unit in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare, next month.

Operating a department store concession is a new first for Sasha. Historically, the company has opted for individual retail units in shopping centres or main shopping thoroughfares.

An initial €1m investment for the first two stores, made available through the company’s financiers Bank of Ireland, will be used for the fit-out, stock, staffing and training.

Two years’ ago, the Sasha chain was bought by Cork entrepreneur Cyril Walsh, who also owns accessory store Dynasty, in a deal believed to be worth at least €10m.

Since the deal was completed, Sasha has added 17 stores to its chain.