At that date, the managing director John O'Neill, financial director Sean Flanagan, and a buying director Mark Heaton, made what Mr O'Neill describes as "a considerable investment in the business which led to our growth with new stores and refitting and modernising of existing premises.
John O'Neill originally joined Heatons in and says one of his first acts was to close down non-profitable outlets, reducing the number of stores from 11 to eight within a year.
One of those premises was in Navan, which ironically is now among the towns targeted by Heatons as a possible site for a new store. The company recently produced a brochure showing not just where all its current premises are located but also the major urban centres in which it would like to have a presence. Heatons has no east coast outlets between Dublin and Waterford or between Dublin and Dundalk and so finding premises in this area would appear to be a priority.
In all, there are 25 such centres marked countrywide. Heatons is opening new outlets in Cookstown and Downpatrick later this year and hopes to expand further in the North.
Since the management buy-in, the company has doubled its business and has an expected growth of 25 per cent in ; Heatons's growth plan envisages turnover to double again by the year One of the factors inhibiting Heatons's ambitions is the lack of suitable sites.
We find it very difficult to find sites at the moment. Possibly there's a perception that what's foreign is better. However, the company's own rapid growth would suggest otherwise. John O'Neill ascribes Heatons's success to its emphasis on value for money and offering consumers a quality product at the best possible price.
He estimates that at least 80 per cent of all clothing carried by Heatons is produced exclusively for the company; this figure is set to rise to per cent in the next few years because "this offers more control over quality and also the specifications of garment".
The lines of home textiles and homeware that Heatons carry are also own-brand but not those of toiletries and toys which would instead be labels familiar to most consumers. Mr O'Neill says that particularly in relation to toys, "we won't sell unless it's a recognised brand name". He adds that in order to maintain Heatons's reputation for offering goods at the best possible price, toys and toiletries in the company's stores are often sold at up to 30 per cent less than the usual price elsewhere.
Although the most obvious competitors in this field are Dunnes Stores and Penneys, John O'Neill argues that by putting the focus on value for money, Heatons is filling a gap in the market which has arisen as other retailers have opted to move upmarket.
He points out, "effectively, an opportunity has been left for us. Our sector - the value-for-money discounters - is the biggest area of growth now in the UK. One other reason given for Heatons's growth is the relative youth of the management team now in place; John O'Neill says that at 43, he is the oldest member of this group.
With expansionist plans now underway, Heatons will also be raising its profile among shoppers. John O'Neill explains : "We took a decision when starting to revamp the chain that we'd get what we had right before we raised our profile. Also included is a childcare facility and car parking 14 spaces , along with retail and commercial space. Each housing unit is to be provided with two car parking spaces, amounting to in total, with a further bicycle parking spaces.
For each apartment, there would be one car parking space, with one visitor car space for every four apartments, giving a total of 43 spaces. One bicycle space per apartment bedroom, with a visitor space for every two apartments amounts to 77 in total.
The planning application commits to access and junction improvements at Rosshill Road and Rosshill Stud Farm Road, with the provision of a footpath connectivity link along both routes. No additional development is permitted to take place above roof parapet level, including lift motors, air conditioning systems, storage tanks or telecommunication equipment. Connect with us. Share Tweet. Don't Miss Forty firefighters tackle major blaze at Galway golf shop. You may like.
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