Business

Sketcher steps in to The Boulevard creating 12 jobs

Sunil Shah, executive director of Shuz 4 U Group, pictured with Chris Nelmes, centre manager at The Boulevard at the launch of the Sketchers outlet
Sunil Shah, executive director of Shuz 4 U Group, pictured with Chris Nelmes, centre manager at The Boulevard at the launch of the Sketchers outlet Sunil Shah, executive director of Shuz 4 U Group, pictured with Chris Nelmes, centre manager at The Boulevard at the launch of the Sketchers outlet

GLOBAL footwear brand Sketchers is to open its first Irish outlet store at The Boulevard in Banbridge.

The US company is to create 12 jobs at the new store, due to open next month, as part of a £250,000 investment.

The 229 sq m store will be situated in unit 18/19, where it will join the recently reopened Clarks Shoes outlet store.

The Boulevard centre manager, Chris Nelmes said he is delighted to welcome another international brand to the centre.

“Skechers will be a great addition to our ever-growing fashion retail portfolio, and with a wide selection of leisure and performance footwear available, we are sure that they will be a popular addition," he said

“We look forward to the opening, and to attracting further global brands over the coming months.”

Alastair Coulson, managing director for centre owners, Lotus Property added:

“We’re proud to be the centre of choice for Skechers’ first ever outlet in Ireland, representing the confidence that leading brands have in the centre as a leading retail destination.

“We are delighted with The Boulevard’s continued success over the last 18 months, demonstrated through our increase in repeat customer visits, and we will continue to enhance the overall customer experience and offering further across the coming months.”

The announcement of the new Sketchers store comes less than a week after the Banbridge shopping centre reported a 25 per cent increase in turnover in 2017 and strong growth in footfall. The shopping destination, rebranded from The Outlet in March is bucking the downward trend in retail footfall, reporting a 7.3 per cent increase.

Skechers will be the fourth brand to open at The Boulevard this year, following the arrival of adidas, Asics and Kurt Geiger, which enjoyed a successful opening last weekend.