Brown Thomas to complete €4m renovations as competition heats up

BROWN Thomas will soon complete a €4 million revamp at its Cork store, as it goes head-to-head in a battle for consumers with British retail giant, Debenhams.

The focus of renovations at both stores in Cork city over the last year has been the popular cosmetic halls, with both stores investing heavily in restructuring works.

Debenhams announced in January that its cosmetics section to the front of the Cork store would receive an extensive facelift, with the introduction of brand such as Chanel, Clarins, Clinique and Benefit.

Brown Thomas Cork meanwhile will complete its multi-million euro facelift next month, which will see a complete remodelling of its cosmetics hall.

This is coupled with other store renovations in Ireland, including a €2m revamp in Galway.

The revamp in Cork will see the introduction of Giorgio Armani cosmetics, Bliss, Sisley and Dr Sebagh to the cosmetics line-up.

Group design controller for Brown Thomas, Graham McNaught said: “We aim to create stores which endorse our position as the most prestigious retail store group in Ireland and one of the finest in the world.”

Brown Thomas said the architectural shell of their Cork cosmetics hall has been remodelled to reflect the Brown Thomas brand while still allowing the cosmetic houses to express their own individuality and excitement.

The revamp includes a new limestone floor which runs throughout the store while the accessories area has been fitted with velour rugs.

The company has also introduced a series of interconnecting tables where the accessory products will be arranged by brand.

New and exclusive to Brown Thomas Cork accessories this season are Jamie Jewellery, Luella, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Momuse while new to womenswear labels in Cork are Numph, Rich and Skinny Blank, Dr Denim, Max Mara Pianoforte, DVB, the denim collection from Victoria Beckham and Twenty8Twelve.