Irish clothing company weathers the downturn

Gerard McAuley of the Jack Murphy group: Irishness sells

AFTER THE BOOM: WITH RETAIL sales around the globe severely hit by the economic downturn, times are tough for the clothing industry. One Irish company which is trying its to ride out the recession is Irish clothing company, Jack Murphy. The firm, which is based in Balbriggan, North Dublin, was founded 13 years ago by Gerard McAuley and Michael Murphy. Specialising in lifestyle and outdoor fashion, the company supplies shops and department stores in Europe and the US. It also has one outlet store in Balbriggan.

Although trading conditions have been tough in the Irish market, the firm’s UK business is growing. Sales in the UK are up 9 per cent on the same figure last year, while orders for Autumn/ Winter 2009 are up 27 per cent.

So how has the company persuaded buyers to part with their pennies? Director of sales Gerard McAuley says that while many companies experienced growth of 20, 30 or 40 per cent during the boom, theirs maintained a steady growth of about 10 per cent. “Instead of overly expanding our customer base, we concentrated on improving the product quality and looking at expanding into other markets,” he says.

Last year Jack Murphy embarked on a concerted effort to expand in the UK. “We’ve had a presence in the UK for years,” says McAuley, “but for the past year or so, we have placed sales reps all over the UK, who are out on the ground, securing business.” The strategy has worked, with the company seeing its biggest ever increase in UK sales, year on year. The firm has also employed agents in Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Spain in a bid to secure new business.

McAuley’s other focus has been the brand, which was named after co-founder Murphy’s father, Jack Murphy. McAuley believes that the name evokes an Irishness that appeals to the international market. “Irishness sells,” he says.

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