Scent of a good deal

A shop unit that traditionally would have been swamped by frantic, last-minute male shoppers seeking luxury Valentine Day gifts is now itself seeking proposals, and courting a new relationship.

French botanical beauty brand Yves Rocher has had a manufacturing presence in Cork city’s northside since 1981, investing €3.7 million in 2010 when it also added to its workforce of around 270, and has had a shop also for decades in the city centre. Internationally, it employs 15,000 and has a turnover of c €2 billion.

The company has changed its sales strategy, however, closing a number of shops and the Cork city store on Oliver Plunkett Street shut its doors in December.