US online firm to create up to 200 Irish jobs

BETWEEN 100 and 200 jobs are to be created through US-based online retailer Gilt Groupe, choosing Ireland as the location for its international headquarters.

The New York-headquartered company, formed four years ago by former eBay, Doubleclick and Louis Vuitton executives, yesterday announced that its international headquarters and software development centre will be based in Dublin.

It will also establish a customer support services centre in Limerick. Between the two offices, which will be Gilt Groupe’s first openings outside of the US, it is anticipated that somewhere between 100 and 200 new jobs will be created over the next couple of years, with the support of IDA Ireland.

Those job numbers are likely to be split evenly between the two locations.

However, while recruitment will commence immediately for senior software engineering and technology roles immediately for the Dublin office.

However, the Limerick facility is not expected to be operational until September.

Speaking at yesterday’s announcement. Finance Minister Michael Noonan said: “As a leading online retailer and one of the fastest growing companies in the US, this is a significant win for Ireland in the digital space and is a major endorsement of Ireland’s capabilities in the areas of electronic and social commerce.”

Mr Noonan added that Gilt’s addition to Ireland’s spread of web-based companies, “further reinforces Ireland’s reputation as the internet capital ofEurope”.

Gilt Groupe acts as a so-called flash sales online retailer, meaning that it offers various goods, from designer clothing and women’s accessories, to home goods and travel offers, at discounted prices in a limited-time first come, first serve fashion. Each sale is usually live for between 36 and 48 hours.

Company founder and chief executive Kevin Ryan said that Ireland was attractive because of its multi-lingual business and technical skills base, its growing digital media environment, and pro-business operating environment.

“We’re excited about our worldwide expansion and growing product offering, and we’re confident that our Irish operation will be at the centre of our continued success,” he added.