Dublin Department Stores

imme

This is a thread about Dublin Department Stores.

Whatever you have to say about them, say it here.

This was prompted by recent news reports about about possible trouble at Clerys.

Clerys has in the recent past changed their shop and brought in some more concessions, (renting out space in their store to independents) like Bests, who now run Bests in place of a Clerys menswear section in the store.

Is there space for Clerys in shopping Dublin, is it too small, how is it different from other department stores.

I wish Clerys well for the future.

liffeylite

imme wrote: »

This is a thread about Dublin Department Stores.

Whatever you have to say about them, say it here.

This was prompted by recent news reports about about possible trouble at Clerys.

Clerys has in the recent past changed their shop and brought in some more concessions, (renting out space in their store to independents) like Bests, who now run Bests in place of a Clerys menswear section in the store.

Is there space for Clerys in shopping Dublin, is it too small, how is it different from other department stores.

I wish Clerys well for the future.

I think there is certainly a place for clerys. But i still feel they could modernise their under 30's clothes further. It never feels as busy as it should be.

Dublin is quite unique to britain and ireland in retaining some of its independent dept stores. Notably clerys arnotts brown thomas and boyers. I hope they all survive. Other than london i cant think of another uk or ireland city that has 4 independent dept stores and its refreshing to see. I do know john lewis is waiting in the wings though.

Jl would be a great addition, but not at the expense of an indpendent.

senordingdong

Over priced dinosaurs that can not compete in the current market.

imme

liffeylite wrote: »

I think there is certainly a place for clerys. But i still feel they could modernise their under 30's clothes further. It never feels as busy as it should be.

Dublin is quite unique to britain and ireland in retaining some of its independent dept stores. Notably clerys arnotts brown thomas and boyers. I hope they all survive. Other than london i cant think of another uk or ireland city that has 4 independent dept stores and its refreshing to see. I do know john lewis is waiting in the wings though.

Jl would be a great addition, but not at the expense of an indpendent.

they do have Topman/Topshop concession in the shop already for under 30's.

Arnotts own Boyers so Boyers isn't independent.

Boyers is another odd one. In some ways it's hard to figure how they're still open.



They do appeal to a distinct market though.

Like you I do like that there is competition and alternatives in the department store stakes.

Someone like John Lewis would be interesting to see entering the Dublin market as they are quite distinctive.
I first thought it strange but not wholly surprising that they were being linked to Clerys.

They were associated with the Carlton cinema site on O'Connell Street afaik.

That plan doesn't seem to be moving anywhere so I guess their being linked to Clerys isn't surprising if it weren't for the fact that retail in general in Ireland isn't in a good place at the moment.

Corruptedmorals

I miss Roches I find it sad that Arnotts and Clerys are essentially clones of one another, along with Debenhams to a great extent. At least Clerys retains its atmosphere, Arnotts hasn't really. Debenhams, Dunnes and Penneys have no atmosphere at all.

number10a

Roches was brilliant. Debenhams aren't a patch on them.

A Disgrace

It would be a tragedy to lose Clerys, but they really need to up their game. Yes, they are victims of their location, but there is also a huge amount of tourist footfall right outside. If only they could think of some way to appeal to the visitors.

snappieT

I very rarely go into Clerys, for two reasons:

1. It's on the wrong side of the street. Not that there's anything wrong over there, but there isn't anything else. It's just a little out of the way.

2. It's full of grannies. You just cannot have < 30s and > 60s shop in the same store. Arnotts shook that by placing concessions like River Island, Topshop, Gap, etc. right at the front, luring people in. Arnotts also got the homewares right - it's bright, it's modern, it's a little bit upmarket. Despite having never been in the Clerys homewares, I am certain I'd find it to be dark, tired, and boring.

fly_agaric

snappieT wrote: »

I very rarely go into Clerys, for two reasons:
...2. It's full of grannies. You just cannot have < 30s and > 60s shop in the same store.

yeah they really should have a separate shop, or maybe a different section/counter for these grannies, wouldn't want them just mingling with the other customers...oh wait...:(

Twee.

I'm a big Arnotts fan, always go shopping in there if I need a department store. My mam has an Arnotts credit card so we always went there back in the day for Christmas clothes, school uniforms etc. I guess I have an emotional connection, along with the fact that it's generally a great place to shop these days. They're rivalling BT now with their cosmetics hall, and there's loads of clothes for my age - Topshop, Mango, Laundry Room, Gap etc. They're lingerie section is also fantastic, great range and staff.

I never even think to go to Clery's, and BTs only really for cosmetics, or accessory splurges!

Ben D Bus

I often visit DID Electrical & Elverys in Clerys basement and I got a couple of good Christmas presents in Homewares on the top floor.

And on an extremely rare visit to Boyers last Saturday I picked up a great pair of Gore-tex Clarks shoes for €33 marked down from €110.

I'd miss both stores. But Boyers really is like a step back in time to the 70's

I always head for Arnotts when I have something particular to buy, but strangely never seem to actually buy anything there.

BT's for Gant jeans & Paul Smith belts. And to use the jacks - the cubicle in there is bigger than my own bathroom

snappieT

fly_agaric wrote: »

yeah they really should have a separate shop, or maybe a different section/counter for these grannies, wouldn't want them just mingling with the other customers...oh wait...:(

For a fashion store, where image is a big aspect, and you want < 40s who will spend on higher-end stuff - yes, it matters.

Think of the nosedive in trade Hollister would experience if they launched a product that had OAPs in their shops...

John Mason

i love clery's it used to be my first port of call for anything i need but that was when i didnt drive and got the bus to and from work. again, before they cancelled half the serivce and got rid a few routes.

Now, i drive to work and it is so expensive to park in the city i rarely shop there.

liffeylite

irishbird wrote: »

i love clery's it used to be my first port of call for anything i need but that was when i didnt drive and got the bus to and from work. again, before they cancelled half the serivce and got rid a few routes.

Now, i drive to work and it is so expensive to park in the city i rarely shop there.

The store does seem to be stuck in a slightly old fashioned state of mind. I think the location is great. The footfall there is huge! The problem is clerys doesnt define its market very well, and as such people dont naturally think of heading there. Its a beautiful building and i believe it was the first dept store in the world. Lets hope it manages to reidentify with the customers but i think it will need some drastuc changes to do so.

John Mason

liffeylite wrote: »

The store does seem to be stuck in a slightly old fashioned state of mind. I think the location is great. The footfall there is huge! The problem is clerys doesnt define its market very well, and as such people dont naturally think of heading there. Its a beautiful building and i believe it was the first dept store in the world. Lets hope it manages to reidentify with the customers but i think it will need some drastuc changes to do so.

i dont think it is old fashioned at all.

it has a wonderful charm - i would choose it over any other department store in the city

Wishbone Ash

liffeylite wrote: »

Other than london i cant think of another uk or ireland city that has 4 independent dept stores and its refreshing to see

And we used to have Switzers on Grafton Street (where BT is now)and Burtons on Dame Street.

Is Frawleys still going? They used to describe themselves as a "department store" but I've never been there.

mysteries1984

It is old fashioned, and I don't like the layout at all - having said that, I do pop in if I'm in town. I like some of the concessions there (I think there's one called Carousel, maybe? Lots of nice vintage-looking clothes). Their window displays always seem dated too.

One thing I do like is the lingerie - but even that seems a bit out of the way. If you go to Arnott's or BT's you'd stumble across their lingerie while browsing, but in Clery's it's hidden away at the back, up the stairs, beside Kaliko, Precis Petit, all the 'older' clothes. I always find sale bargains in there, which is why I keep going, but it's never once been busy when I've been there.

liffeylite

irishbird wrote: »

liffeylite wrote: »

The store does seem to be stuck in a slightly old fashioned state of mind. I think the location is great. The footfall there is huge! The problem is clerys doesnt define its market very well, and as such people dont naturally think of heading there. Its a beautiful building and i believe it was the first dept store in the world. Lets hope it manages to reidentify with the customers but i think it will need some drastuc changes to do so.

i dont think it is old fashioned at all.

it has a wonderful charm - i would choose it over any other department store in the city

It is a lovely store, i completley agree :-) it is the best looking dept store in the city.

What i mean is the retail element is outdated. It isnt very cutting edge. Dublin has some 300,000 18 to 35 year olds, it is a very young city, despite the recession. In this market clerys just doesnt distinguish itself. I think it could improve its stock for this market drastically.

A beautiful store and good for homewares though :-)

P. Breathnach

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

...
Is Frawleys still going? They used to describe themselves as a "department store" but I've never been there.

Frawley's bit the dust a few years ago.

A Disgrace

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Frawley's bit the dust a few years ago.

It's now a super-store for the larger men and women of Dublin (which, if reports are to be believed, means most of us)

It was also due to be demolished, but thanks to a number of appeals (it contains a large portion of a very important 18th century mansion) was rejected.

Also, I believe it's run by the father of global international worldwide superstar Keith Duffy!

The shop-front and entrance are also protected afaik

P. Breathnach

A few losses over the years:
- Todd Burns on Mary Street. The building is now occupied by Penney's. http://archiseek.com/2010/1905-pennys-department-store-mary-street-dublin/
- Pim's on South Great George's Street. http://archiseek.com/2011/1856-pims-department-store-sth-great-george/
- McBirney's on Aston Quay. http://www.tellingthetruth.info/plogger/?level=picture&id=320

Dodge

A Disgrace wrote: »

It's now a super-store for the larger men and women of Dublin

A friend of my folks works there (as he has most of his adult life). It was a department store (in that it sold as varied products are homeware, sportswear, drapery, mens and women's clothers etc) but by trying to cater to everyone they spread themselves too thin (nobody was going in there to be fashionable...)

The staff/management bought the lease after Frawleys bit the dust and catered to the crowds that actually went there. So now its called "Plus and Minors" and sells in two areas. XXXL and above, and kids clothes. It essentially caters for old people, who buy stuff for their grandkids

Doing OK too apparently as its a pretty niche market

imme

Dodge wrote: »

The staff/management bought the lease after Frawleys bit the dust and catered to the crowds that actually went there. So now its called "Plus and Minors" and sells in two areas. XXXL and above, and kids clothes. It essentially caters for old people, who buy stuff for their grandkids

Doing OK too apparently as its a pretty niche market

great name:D

hmmm

It's funny how little things can put you off a store. Frequently I've been in Clerys and gone to pay for something, only to be told "you'll have to pay for that over there" (somewhere else). Off I march to the appointed cash register, to find it empty. Usually at that point I drop whatever I have and leave, they make it hard for me to spend my money.

Clery's location is not good, O'Connell Street has deteriorated around it. A pity really.

I like Arnotts these days, nice and bright and reasonably well laid out.

brambo

liffeylite wrote: »

I think there is certainly a place for clerys. But i still feel they could modernise their under 30's clothes further. It never feels as busy as it should be.

Dublin is quite unique to britain and ireland in retaining some of its independent dept stores. Notably clerys arnotts brown thomas and boyers. I hope they all survive. Other than london i cant think of another uk or ireland city that has 4 independent dept stores and its refreshing to see. I do know john lewis is waiting in the wings though.

Jl would be a great addition, but not at the expense of an indpendent.

Could you consider Brown Thomas independent? It is owned by the Westons who also own Holt Renfrew in Canada and Selfridges in Britain. See here

liffeylite

brambo wrote: »

liffeylite wrote: »

I think there is certainly a place for clerys. But i still feel they could modernise their under 30's clothes further. It never feels as busy as it should be.

Dublin is quite unique to britain and ireland in retaining some of its independent dept stores. Notably clerys arnotts brown thomas and boyers. I hope they all survive. Other than london i cant think of another uk or ireland city that has 4 independent dept stores and its refreshing to see. I do know john lewis is waiting in the wings though.

Jl would be a great addition, but not at the expense of an indpendent.

Could you consider Brown Thomas independent? It is owned by the Westons who also own Holt Renfrew in Canada and Selfridges in Britain. See here

Yes youre right. Its kind of the selfridges of ireland. But there is still arnotts clerys and boyers. Manchester liverpool birmingham and edinburgh dont have one independent between them. After london, Dublin is definatley the biggest retail centre in the uk and ireland and its great to see these indenpedents. :-)

nommm

I went into Cleary's the other day and it was pretty obvious why they're in trouble. Very poor selection of clothes and most of them would only really suit 'older' women. The store as a whole felt disorganised to me.

casinoshop.ie

brambo wrote: »

Could you consider Brown Thomas independent? It is owned by the Westons who also own Holt Renfrew in Canada and Selfridges in Britain. See here

and they also own Pennys / Primark.

But that is just the ultimate owner - the great thing is the Westons allow for autonomy when it comes to running their different businesses, so its as close to being independent as you'll get.