Old Footlocker Unit!

Valhalla90

I see construction workers working inside the old Footlocker unit, seems completely gutted and looks much bigger! Any idea what's going in there?

Crusty Blaa

Hopefully not a discount store, a phone cover shop or a coffee shop...

BBM77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118511783#Comment_118511783

You do get that retail was already under big pressure from online shopping then Covid hit on top of that. Even Oxford St in London is having problems filling units. In that light I think there is a lot to be positive about that unit being taken no matter who goings in there don't you think.

silver2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515376#Comment_118515376

Retail is doing well. People need to understand that shopping is the number one past time in Ireland.

Online will on take a certain percentage. Possibly no more than 10-12% of what you would call "high street" shopping. (Eg, excluding travel, financial products etc)

This is about what the home shopping catalogue companies had in their heyday.

At close to 5,000 sq ft it will not be a coffee shop or phone shop.

Crusty Blaa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515376#Comment_118515376

You do get that we are the only city in Ireland without the so called big fashion retailers - H&M, Zara, BT etc. More needs to be done to attract these to the city. Online shopping isn't going to completely take over the high street, there will always be a market for physical shops. I get what you're saying but we are flooded with poundshops and coffee shops and another one isn't going to add anything.

Valhalla90

The unit space that the big names such as Zara,H&M, Marks & Spencer require is available now in City Square so hopefully in the future some might locate here. Even 1 of these big names would change the city centre completely.

Crusty Blaa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118515937#Comment_118515937

Think it was mentioned here before that H&M were all in to take that front unit in City Square but were hardballed with the rent costs. There in lies the issue. We shoot ourselves in the foot time after time.

BBM77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118516158#Comment_118516158

How is it we shot ourselves in the foot when the owners of city square at the time were in the US?