Debenhams Ireland

File:RochesStoresLogoPhilipO.PNG

Roches Stores' Logo - "More Value, More Choice, More Service"

Roches Stores was a national chain of department stores in the Republic of Ireland acquired by Debenhams in 2006.

Founded in Cork in 1901 by William Roche, as a small furniture shop, it grew to eleven stores throughout Ireland. As Debenhams it sells a wide range of goods, from cosmetics to houseware to clothes and stationery. It was for many years the only true department store chain in the country. Unlike its competitors, Roches Stores generally sold more branded items, particularly clothing. This lent it a more upmarket image than its competitors such as Dunnes Stores.

Roches Stores caused huge controversy in the 1970s and early 1980s when it demolished Frescati House in Blackrock, the home of Lord Edward FitzGerald.

Up until the acquisition, the Roche family retained full ownership of the stores. A noticeably private family, they maintained a low profile in Ireland in contrast to other large store owners.

Withdrawal from food retailing

Formerly most of Roches Stores larger locations also had a supermarket on-site. In 1998 these stores became franchises of SuperValu, branded as "SuperValu at Roches Stores". However in 2005 most of Roches Stores supermarkets were closed down, the four remaining being operated as concessions - two (in Cork) by Caulfield/McCarthy, another SuperValu franchisee, and two (in Blackrock and Galway) by Marks and Spencer.

Acquisition by Debenhams plc

In July 2006, Irish newspapers reported that Roches Stores was in discussion with the British department store chain, Debenhams plc, with regard to a possible sale of the business. On August 8 2006, it was announced that Roches Stores' retailling business would be acquired by Debenhams for €29m. As part of the deal Debenhams acquired the retail business of 9 of the 11 Roches Stores operations - including stores at St. Patrick's Street in Cork, Henry Street in Dublin, Blackrock, Waterford, Tralee and O'Connell Street, Limerick - 500,000 sq ft of retailing space. Marks and Spencer plc had agreed to acquire the company's Wilton outlet in Cork, however that deal later fell through due to a dispute over rent with the owners of the centre. As a result both the Wilton store as well as the Nutgrove store (in Dublin) closed, along with the company's head office. As part of the deal, the Roche-family retained ownership of the group's property assets (the stores) and lease the premises back to Debenhams as their new tenant. The stores were rebranded as Debenhams, a move which will see the Roches Stores name disappear from the Irish high street in 2007, and which is causing a sadness of sorts among Irish consumers especially those in Cork.

In October 2006, Roches Stores placed adverts in the national newspapers advertising their latest sale as their "Closing Down Sale", beginning the process of transitioning to the Debenhams brand. Sections of stores were replaced with Debenhams stock, fittings, signage and designers such as John Rocha and Jasper Conran. The Limerick store is now rebranded Debenhams, as are some other stores such as Blanchardstown and Tallaght. The St. Patrick's Street store in Cork was rebranded as Debenhams on 30 January, 2007. But the Roches Stores name will remain visible on the outside of the St. Patrick's Street store, the original Roches Stores branch, as it is sculpted on the wall over the large arch window over the front entrance. Many Corkonian consumers are pleased with this, and a large number of them still refer to the store as Roches Stores. In March 2007, Debenhams reported that all but two of the stores had been rebranded, and launched a major marketing campaign under the Debenhams name.

External links

• Debenhams