Jedward kick-start Stephen’s Day sales bonanza
The country’s oldest department store was the first to announce St Stephen’s day sales and breaking the tradition of staying closed on the day really paid off.
The store’s general manager, Leesa Kavanagh, said they enjoyed their busiest sales day of the year.
“It has been a huge success and the entertainment we provided on the day proved to be extremely popular with customers,” she said.
The Grimes twins, John and Edward, appeared in the main window of the department store in Henry Street with their trademark bouffant hair-dos looking wilder than ever.
“We believe we had about 1,500 people outside the store for Jedward alone when we opened the doors at 10am,” said Ms Kavanagh.
Around 350 people queued for hours in the freezing cold to snap up some of the special offers.
The store had a sports bar showing live racing from Leopardstown and Premier League.
“It was our male creche where the men could go and have a drink and enjoy bar food while the women could go shopping,” she said.
A Samba band also played on the first floor.
“The day was organised so that anyone who wanted to come out and shop with us could be entertained as well,” she said.
“We did not force anyone to come out and shop with us.
“All we did is produce a few appetisers and the feedback has been absolutely fantastic.
“The kids who queued for Jedward said it was their best Christmas ever.”
Managing director of PC World and Currys, Declan Roynayne, said their PC World Store in Jervis Shopping Centre opened for the first time on St Stephen’s Day and he was very pleased with the response.
“With Arnotts and other department stores opening on the day, we decided to do the same.
“We certainly weren’t short of customers,” Mr Roynayne said.
“It is still to early to call on what consumer sentiment is and how people will spend in the sales but it has been a good start,” he said.
Chief executive of Cork Chamber, Conor Healy, said Cork city was buzzing as a result of the sales.
Some stores opened on St Stephen’s day but almost all were open for business yesterday and the town was very busy.
“We expect tomorrow to be the busiest day of the sales,” he said.
Ms Healy is also expecting Cork to remain a shopper’s delight in 2010 with the opening of the Opera Lane Shopping Centre and other retail stores.
“The retail offering in Cork has grown very significantly.
“So, at a time when things are difficult for a lot of other locations, retail in Cork is on the up,” he said.
