Spring 2010

Best Sellers in Dublin, Ireland By Lynn Switanowski

This edition of “Best Sellers” jumps across the Atlantic and looks at what’s selling in Dublin, Ireland. The Celtic Tiger has come into its own as a strong economic player and Dublin showcases the best that Ireland has to offer in gift retail.

Contemporary gift retail in Ireland is a perfect marriage between the country’s long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and more modern innovations driven by technology.

The retail scene in Dublin is a case in point. Located at the mouth of the River Liffey on the east coast of Ireland, Dublin is the historical and cultural heart of Ireland. Contemporary Dublin is also one of the country’s economic and educational centers.

The local population is vibrant and young—they keep an eye out for trendy and environmentally friendly products. Tourists comprise a significant component of the Dublin shopping scene and this blend of consumers leads to an eclectic mix of shops; independents blend with brand retailers to create a distinctive yet European shopping experience.

Beyond the Guinness brewery, Jameson distillery, James Joyce tours and Trinity College experiences of Dublin, the city center has a distinctive shopping experience. The pedestrian-only Grafton Street is a must-see for any visitor to Dublin and boasts of some fine shopping experiences.

Since the early 1990s, Dublin’s suburbs have also witnessed the development of several modern retail centers as the tremendous economic development of the period increased wealth and disposable income available to residents.

Lynn Switanowski

Lynn Switanowski-Barrett is the founder of Creative Business Consulting Group, a retail-consulting firm based in Boston, MA. CBCG works with businesses of all size to create and implement profit-improving sales, marketing and inventory management strategies. For more information, please email lynn@cbc-group.net.