Superdry and Cult parent Supergroup is to open its first Republic of Ireland shops before Christmas.

The young fashion retailer will open a 13,000 sq ft Cult store near Grafton Street in Dublin before Christmas and a Superdry shop at Dublin Airport shortly after. It will also open a franchise Superdry outlet store in County Kildare.

Owner Julian Dunkerton said he wants to open up to eight stores in the country in a bid to capitalise on the “lack of competition”. Property agency Jones Lang LaSalle is acting for the retailer.

Dunkerton said he is “totally confident” about opening in Ireland, despite it suffering much more than the UK in the recession. He said: “The rents reflect a more realistic picture now than two years ago when they were ridiculous. We can go over there and be incredible.”

The Superdry brand already sells in Ireland through House of Fraser’s Dundrum store, which Dunkerton said had shown how successful a full-scale launch would be. 

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