The expansion of the Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin this November is expected to lead to the creation of 444 additional retail jobs, it was announced today.
A jobs fair will take place at the centre on Friday to recruit new employees, with representatives from House of Fraser, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer and Tesco attending.
Dundrum Town Centre director Don Nugent said the centre continued to attract new tenants and this highlighted retailers' confidence in the Irish retail market, he said.
Attending today's launch, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan said the new jobs reflected growth in the retail sector.
"Retail plays an important role in the Irish economy with around 200,000 people - almost one in 10 of the workforce - employed in shops.
"The last few years have seen rapid sales growth in the retail sector. In real terms, the volume of retail sales grew by almost 6 per cent per year between 2005 and 2007, a rate of growth without parallel in any other economy in the euro area," she said.
"While the period ahead will be challenging, today's announcement reflects confidence in the continued growth in this important sector," she added.
Dundrum Town Centre opened its doors in March 2005 with 15 first-time retailers in Ireland, including Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, H&M and Massimo Dutti.
PA